Kings of Kauffman Presents: 2014 Royals Awards

Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Player of the Year

Finalists

Alex Gordon

Despite going through a difficult slump in September, Gordon led the team in most offensive categories, including wRC+ (122), home runs (19), runs (87), runs batted in (74), on-base percentage (.351), and slugging percentage (.432). He also won his fourth consecutive Gold Glove in left field, providing tremendous defensive value for a team that needed elite run prevention. Gordon also led the team in fWAR, with 6.6.

Lorenzo Cain

Before Cain showed the national audience what he could do, he spent the 2014 season showing Royals fans what he could do. He was second on the team in wRC+, at 111, and even though he only played in 133 games, he still accumulated 4.9 fWAR. His defense in center field and right field was a huge part of the Royals’ success this season, but it was his bat – and legs, as evidenced by 28 stolen bases – that helped keep the offense from falling completely off the rails.

Salvador Perez

Perez plays the most physically demanding position in baseball, and he played it more frequently than anyone in baseball. Obviously his offensive numbers fell off a cliff in the second half, but thanks to his Gold Glove defense, Perez was still worth 3.3 fWAR, and had the third-highest slugging percentage among Royal regulars. He also hit a career-high 17 home runs.

Kings of Kauffman Royals Player of the Year: Alex Gordon