Kansas City Royals Top Five Shortstops

Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Throughout the course of the Kansas City Royals history, shortstops have generally been expected to be excellent defensively, steal a few bases and not be a complete embarrassment at the plate. While there have been a few exceptions to this rule (looking at you, Yuniesky Betancourt) that standard has been essentially the same since the Royals began in 1969.

Those first two requirements have almost taken on a life of their own recently, especially given the Royals proclivity towards outrunning the opposition and run prevention. Yet, that has seemingly always been the requirement for Royals shortstops, as, according to Fangraphs.com, not a single player listed at short who had over 1000 plate appearances finished their tenure with the Royals worth positive batting runs.

Those offensive issues might make the top five shortstops in Kansas City Royals history an interesting list to look at. These players may not have been the best with the bat, but they could play defense well, were solid on the basepaths and may have even been better than we realized. A few of these players even went on to make the occasional All-Star Game.

As with the previous countdowns, the same rules apply. Fangraphs computation of Wins Above Replacement was used as a guide to compile the list, and can be used as statistical evidence that Betancourt was the worst shortstop in Royals history. If we do an all-time worst Royals team, he will make the list. Hmm…..

As always, let us know if you feel there is someone who should rate higher on the list or if there was someone that you feel was snubbed!

Next: His name lives on for sabermetric fans

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5. Bill Pecota (1986-1991, 6.0 WAR)

If you ever want to win a bet, or depress a Kansas City Royals fan, ask them who the best shortstop in Royals history, according to Fangraphs, is on offense. Chances are, even if you give those people multiple guesses, Bill Pecota will not be among them. Yet, Pecota, who cost the Royals 6.4 runs on offense when in the lineup, is still considered to be the best offensive shortstop in Royals history, at least with the bat. Yikes.

While Pecota may have been more of a utility player than a shortstop per se, he was still considered as primarily being a shortstop from 1987 through 1989. During his tenure with the Royals, Pecota appeared in 138 games at short, spending his time between there, third and second. A solid defensive player, Pecota was above average at all three positions, and even ranked in the top five in runs saved as a third baseman in 1986, despite playing only 12 games.

With the bat, Bill Pecota was not about to strike fear into the hearts of opposing pitchers, but he was relatively solid. His .254/.330/.370 batting line for the Royals may not seem spectacular, but it was worth an OPS+ of 94. Considering that middle infielders at the time, and especially utility infielders, were not expected to produce much offensively, Pecota performing right about league average was actually pretty good indeed.

These days, Bill Pecota may be better remembered for being the namesake of the PECOTA system, but he was a solid enough player in his own right. One just would not have expected that he would be the Kansas City Royals best batting shortstop, and fifth best of all time.

Next: A truly excellent defensive shortstop

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4. Rey Sanchez (1999-2001, 7.0 WAR)

Rey Sanchez was the Kansas City Royals shortstop during the beginnings of the Steroid Era in baseball. Back when seemingly everyone could launch a ball into orbit or have a head expand to the point where Sputnik crash landed on their shoulders (Hello, Barry Bonds) the Royals somehow completely missed that notice.

During his time with the Royals, Sanchez hit all of three home runs, and had a whopping 15 in his career. While there were a few light hitting, great fielding shortstops around, players like Sanchez or Rey Ordonez were pretty much phased out of starting positions by that point. However, unlike Ordonez, this Rey was at least somewhat useful with the bat, producing a .289/.321/.351 batting line, stealing 27 bases and hitting 50 doubles. That was worth an OPS+ of 71 during his time.

Defensively, Rey Sanchez was without a doubt the best shortstop in the American League during his time in Kansas City. Despite never winning a Gold Glove award, he led the American League in runs saved as a shortstop all three seasons, saving a total of 63 runs. He was the league leader in range factor per nine innings at short in both 1999 and 2001, finishing third in 2000. For all of his deficiencies with the bat, Sanchez more than made up for them with the glove.

The ‘great glove, no bat’ shortstop may have been a thing of the past when Rey Sanchez was with the Kansas City Royals, but he was still a useful piece on the field. Surprisingly, that glove was good enough where he ranks as the fourth best shortstop in Royals history.

Next: From the Academy to the Majors

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3. U.L. Washington (1977-1984, 7.6 WAR)

Back in the early days of the Kansas City Royals, they created a baseball academy, finding athletes and teaching them to play baseball. Several players from the academy ended up making the major leagues, including Frank White and U.L. Washington.

Washington, known for the toothpick hanging from his mouth in place of the blade of grass he preferred, ended up becoming the Royals starting shortstop during the midst of their run among the best in the American League. Teaming with former Academy teammate White as a double play combo, Washington became a solid defensive shortstop, ranking among the league leaders in runs saved in 1979 and 1981.

On offense, U.L. Washington was mainly noted for his speed. In 1980, Washington hit eleven triples to rank third in the American League, and was seventh with forty stolen bases in 1983. Overall for the Royals, he produced a .254/.316/.347 batting line with 120 stolen bases.

The Kansas City Royals Baseball Academy may have been decades ahead of its time, but it certainly made a lasting impression in baseball. Players like U.L. Washington and Frank White, and the overall success of the program, can still be felt to this day.

Next: YEScobar!!!

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1. Freddie Patek (1971-1979, 17.0 WAR)

Freddie Patek stood only 5’5″ tall. That lack of stature and his 148 pound frame earned him the nickname ‘The Flea.’ Yet, despite that lack of size, Patek managed to become a solid player for the Kansas City Royals, earning three All-Star appearances and becoming one of the key players as the Royals began their ascension up the ranks in the American League.

Defensively, Patek was a solid player. He led the American League in runs saved in 1972, saving 18 runs at short. From 1971 through 1974, Patek led the league in double plays. While he did make a decent amount of errors, Patek was still an above average shortstop with the glove.

On offense, Freddie Patek had limited power. However, he had excellent speed and could slap the ball into the gap, leading the American League with eleven triples in 1971 as he finished sixth in the MVP vote. Overall for the Royals, Patek produced a .241/.309/.321 batting line, stealing 336 bases and hitting 182 doubles. Patek led the American League in steals in 1977, swiping 53 bags.

Perhaps someday, Alcides Escobar will surpass Freddie Patek as the top shortstop in Kansas City Royals history. However, for now, Patek still holds the crown.

Next: Kansas City Royals Top Five Third Basemen