The Royals made history in 2024, as Kansas City became just the second team to make the postseason after a 100-loss campaign. It was quite a transformation but one months and years in the making. But if there two key reasons why the Royals made it back to October, it’s because of A) an overhauled pitching staff and B) two incredible bats in the top half of their lineup.
The Good
Kansas City wouldn’t have made the playoffs without their franchise stalwart, Salvador Perez, and the man who will be their face for the next decade, Bobby Witt Jr.
Bobby Witt Jr., who signed a massive contract extension in the winter, won the AL batting title (.332) and finished second in the Junior Circuit in bWAR (9.4), behind only Aaron Judge. Witt Jr. also recorded a second 20-20 campaign before he turned 25.
Then, there’s Salvador Perez. Perez hit 27 home runs (55 XBH) and scored 104 in arguably his best campaign since 2021. What truly helped the Royals was that Kansas City could keep him in the lineup virtually every day — he played 158 of 162 games — thanks to his ability to slot in at first. Plus, that helped KC get defensive specialist Freddy Fermin (+10 Blocks Above Average) in the lineup.
Those two delivered plenty for their pitching staff, which saw significant production in 2024. Last season, Royals pitchers combined for a 5.17 ERA, 28th in the league. This season? It was 3.76, eighth-best in the Majors.
Much of that success can be attributed to two veterans signed in the winter. Michael Wacha brought his plus changeup and high-carry fastball from San Diego to KC and gave the Royals much-needed stability. Wacha provided results all year long but was particularly effective in the second half. The veteran posted a 2.79 ERA (1.14 WHIP) and opposing batters had a .678 OPS off Wacha.
Seth Lugo, meanwhile, was the team’s innings leader at 206.2 IP. Lugo won 16 games and posted a 2.1 BB/9, a masterful campaign in his second season back as a starter and first with the Royals.
Additionally, Kansas City got a full season of Cole Ragans, who flashed a good fastball and terrific changeup last year. In 2024, Ragans struck out 223 batters, five behind the AL league leader. Ragans, acquired in the Aroldis Chapman trade last year, has been a revelation.
The Bad
Without Perez or Witt Jr., the Royals likely don’t come close to making the playoffs. The two combined for 34.7% of the Royals’ home runs in 2024 and just two other Royals — Vinnie Pasquantino and Michael Massey — amassed an OPS+ above league-average of 100.
Kansas City’s outfield, in particular, was under the microscope. Royals outfielders posted a combined wOBA of .284, fourth-worst in the Majors. MJ Melendez hit 17 home runs but only waked 35 times over 135 games and hit just .164/.176/.219 (.365 OPS) against lefties. Hunter Renfroe (.689 OPS) and Kyle Isbel (.654 OPS) also delivered less-than-stellar results.
Getting back to pitching, and not everything there was great. The Royals’ front office added several arms over the offseason: Nick Anderson, Chris Stratton, and Will Smith. And in the summer, Hunter Harvey and Lucas Erceg came over in trades.
Erceg was a hit for the Royals. The 29-year-old notched 11 saves for Kansas City and solidified a pen that needed help. Will Smith (6.53 ERA) and Chris Stratton (5.55 ERA) were not effective. James McArthur, the Royals’ closer for much of 2024, bled contact (10.8 H/9) this season.
Harvey, McArthur, Smith, and Stratton are all on the IL.
What to Expect from the Royals in October
Kansas City will have their hands full right away, as the Royals will match up with the Orioles. It’s not exactly a rematch of the 2014 ALCS, although much like that O’s team from a decade ago, Baltimore has a formidable offense.
The Royals’ starters have the stuff and experience. But, whether or not the Royals make it far in October may depend on one question: do the Royals have the bats to compete in the playoffs?
Perez and Witt Jr. carried Kansas City for much of the season. But should the O’s shut those two down in the AL Wild Card Round, the Royals will need to count on bats who didn’t deliver in spades for much of the season. Luckily for the Royals, Vinnie Pasquantino, currently on the IL, could come back for that round.