Royals Struggling as Bobby Witt Jr. Carries Team Alone
Kansas City Royals' 2023 Season: Mixed Results Amid Injuries and Acquisitions
The Kansas City Royals, who reached the playoffs last year with an 86-76 record, have seen a mixed performance in their 2023 season. The team has been affected by injuries and acquisitions, leading to a somewhat disappointing showing compared to their playoff run in the previous year.
Two of the Royals' best strikeout artists, Bubic and Ragans, are currently sidelined due to injuries, leaving a gap in the team's pitching rotation. On the offensive side, Bobby Witt Jr., the shortstop for the Royals, has been a shining light, boasting a batting line of .285/.341/.492, 17 home runs, 30 stolen bases, and league-leading 37 doubles. Salvador Perez, the catcher, and Vinnie Pasquantino, the first baseman, have also contributed with 21 and 20 home runs, respectively.
In an effort to bolster their offense, the Royals made several acquisitions at the trade deadline. Mike Yastrzemski, an outfielder, and Randal Grichuk, a platoon bat, joined the team, providing a temporary spark in the lineup, helping them stay within striking distance of a Wild Card spot. However, the team has struggled offensively overall, hovering around a .500 record and facing challenges matching their prior playoff-caliber form.
Injuries appear to have had less publicly detailed but still impactful effects in 2023. Kris Bubic, a starting pitcher, has injured his rotator cuff and will miss the rest of the season. Ryan Bergert and Bailey Falter were acquired to fill empty rotation spots due to injuries.
The 2023 season reflects a downturn from playoff performance, with the Royals facing offensive struggles and needing to make further moves either in trades or free agency to regain competitiveness. The bullpen, led by All-Star closer Carlos Estévez, has a 2.81 ERA and 30 saves, but lacks the ability to generate strikeouts. The team's strikeout rate of 21.3% is tied for 20th in MLB.
Maikel Garcia, the team's third baseman, is having a breakout year, while Bobby Witt Jr.'s 4.8 WAR (Baseball-Reference version) is the highest on the team. Despite these bright spots, the Royals are currently languishing in the middle of the pack with a 59-60 record.
The Kansas City Royals' tepid offseason following their surprising postseason appearance failed to set up the roster for a repeat performance. Mark Canha, another lineup acquisition, and Jonathan India, one of the team's biggest acquisitions this winter, have not lived up to expectations so far. Adam Frazier, a utility man, was also acquired at the trade deadline.
As the season progresses, the Royals will need to address their offensive struggles and find solutions to regain their playoff form. The team's future planning and dynamics have been affected by their shift from playoff hopefuls to sellers, as seen in their midseason strategy. The Royals will need to navigate these challenges to return to their winning ways.
[1] [https://www.mlb.com/news/kansas-city-royals-acquire-outfielder-mike-yastrzemski-from-giants-at-trade-deadline/c-360369202] [2] [https://www.mlb.com/news/kansas-city-royals-acquire-outfielder-randal-grichuk-from-blue-jays-at-trade-deadline/c-360369204] [3] [https://www.mlb.com/news/kansas-city-royals-acquire-adam-frazier-from-pirates-at-trade-deadline/c-360369206] [4] [https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/KCA/2023.shtml] [5] [https://www.mlb.com/news/kansas-city-royals-sell-off-talent-at-trade-deadline/c-360369210]
The Kansas City Royals, despite the shining contributions of Bobby Witt Jr. and Maikel Garcia, have endured a challenging 2023 season in Major League Baseball, plagued by injuries and performance inconsistencies. The team made acquisitions such as Mike Yastrzemski, Randal Grichuk, and Adam Frazier during the season, but their offensive output remains below par compared to their playoff run in 2022. On the mound, the Royals struggle with a subpar strikeout rate, reflecting the absence of key pitchers like Bubic with a rotator cuff injury. The team's future success may hinge on addressing these issues, as they navigate through the season with a 59-60 record.
