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The
Royals lost 93 games last season and
while it wasn’t
a cause for jubilation, it was the
first time in four years that Kansas
City had not dropped at least 100
games. Now after four straight years
in last place, it’s time to
get out of the cellar in the American
League Central. With Minnesota likely
the rebuilding team of 2008 from
that division, it is more than possible.
It seems like eons ago but Kansas
City was five games over .500 in
2003 and with a strong nucleus of
youngsters, an outcome like that
isn’t out of the question.
2008
Offense
Basically, the offense
for Kansas City last season was putrid.
The Royals scored just 706 runs,
an average of 4.4 per game which
was second to last in the American
League. They ranked last in the league
in home runs, total bases and slugging
percentage. Youth was the main reason
as they were banking on a lot of
youngsters and will do so again but
at least there is experience now.
The Royals signed Jose Guillen to
beef up the offense as his power
and his .460 slugging percentage
should help the offense produce more
runs.
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Billy Butler
and Alex Gordon could make quantum leaps
forward from their rookie seasons. Butler
made his debut in 2007 where he hit .292
with eight homers and 52 RBI and his
numbers should get much better. The same
goes for Gordon who was one of top prospects
in baseball last season but finished
with only 15 home runs, 60 RBI’s
and a .247 average. Catcher John Buck
led the club with 18 home runs but only
three after the All-Star break. Ryan
Shealy, if healthy, could have a breakout
season as well.
2008
Starting Pitching
The
pitching actually wasn’t bad
for the Royals last season and if it
got any sort of offense, there would
have been a lot more wins. Gil Meche
was signed to a suspect contract
before last season and he backed
it up. He finished 9-13 but posted
a solid 3.67 ERA and 1.30 WHIP. His
run support was the problem as he
received three runs or fewer in 18
of his 31 starts. The surprise last
season was Brian Bannister who went
12-9 with a 3.87 ERA in 27 starts
as a rookie. If he can match that,
the one-two punch is solid. Zack
Greinke, who has the stuff and command
to be a top-of-the-rotation guy,
returned from a psychological leave
of absence and pitched tremendous
with a 3.69 ERA out of the bullpen
and in 14 starts. If he lives up
to potential, the one-two-three-punch
is solid. After that however, the
bottom falls off. Brett Tomko has
the inside track for the fourth spot
and after his 4-12 and 5.55 ERA in
2007, that is not a good sign. Jorge
De La Rosa likely gets the fifth
spot not necessarily because of talent
but that he is the lone lefty with
a shot.
2008 Bullpen
The
Royals had a very good bullpen last
season and it is rare to put the words “good” and “bullpen” together
when talking about this team. They
had the worst bullpen ERA in 2006
so their 3.69 ERA was a solid effort.
Let’s start with the bad news.
David Riske, who had a 2.45 ERA in
65 appearances and was their most
reliable, has moved on to the Brewers
so it will be up to others to step
in and fill the void. That role could
go to rookie Yasuhiko Yabuta, where
new manager Trey Hillman is familiar
with him from Japan. Closer Joakim
Soria had 17 saves and a 2.48 ERA
as a rookie and this is with going
the entire months of June and July
without a save. He is not an overpowering
closer but has four quality pitches.
Joel Peralta is durable and can be
utilized in a variety of roles while
Ryan Braun throws hard. The repeat
of the success could also be on the
arms of three lefties, Ron Mahay,
Jimmy Gobble and John Bale all of
whom are experienced and posted solid
numbers last season. The potential
is here but everything must fall
into place.
2008 Overall Outlook
Another
new manager takes over with Hillman,
coming over from Japan where he spent
the past five years. It might sound
like an odd hire, but he knows how
to win as he led his teams to three
postseason berths while winning the
2006 Japan Series. Playing in the rugged
American League Central does not help
the Royals’ cause so contending
probably won’t be an option.
However if the offense can have a breakout
season from most of the youngsters,
Kansas City could be in good shape
to tack on more wins and get to .500.
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