Kansas City Royals Top Five Right Fielders

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It is interesting to compare the success that different teams have had at different positions. For instance, the Pittsburgh Pirates have had three Hall of Fame players manning right field. The Kansas City Royals have had Jeff Francoeur. Granted, the Pirates have been around since 1882, but one would have hoped for at least one Hall of Fame caliber player.

However, even during the Royals heyday, right field managed to be that position that was a revolving door. There were certainly players who could have been that star right fielder, but they left before being able to truly leave their marks upon the team. Then, given how many players also played at other positions, this list is a bit thin.

In a way, that makes creating these lists more interesting. Instead of having the obvious candidates that fill out the top five, there is a lot more room for discussion and debate. Of course, when there is a lot of mediocrity in the four through twelve range, a debate can be made for quite a few players to make this list. Except Francoeur.

The same rules apply. The Wins Above Replacement list from Fangraphs.com will be used as a guide. It also shows that Jeff Francoeur was better than Mitch Maier and Jose Guillen in right for the Kansas City Royals. Yikes.

As always, let us know who you think should have made this list, or if you feel someone should be rated higher!

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4. Clint Hurdle (1977-1981, 4.8 WAR)

You have to wonder what could have been with Clint Hurdle. He was a first round pick out of high school who made his debut with the Kansas City Royals at age 19. It seemed as though he could be a future cornerstone for the franchise. Unfortunately, injuries derailed his career, forcing Hurdle to retire at age 29.

Although Hurdle was only a regular at the major league level for two seasons, he was still productive in his time with the Royals. While his power never developed as expected, Hurdle produced a respectable .276/.353/.432 batting line with 26 home runs and 69 doubles during his time in Kansas City. As a young player on a team filled with star power, that was certainly good enough.

As good as Clint Hurdle was offensively, he struggled in the field. In 1980, Hurdle led the American League with nine errors in right, and his ten errors overall were the second most in the outfield that season. While he had a deent range factor that year, Hurdle was consistently below average. However, he was primarily in the lineup for his expected hitting prowess, which never had a chance to develop.

One has to wonder what type of a player Clint Hurdle would have been had he not hurt his back.

Next: A germane addition to the list

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3. Jermaine Dye (1997-2001, 7.8 WAR)

During the Kansas City Royals Dark Ages, they had quite a few talented young players come through the clubhouse. Unfortunately, as the trust that Ewing Kauffman set up was primarily focused on turning a profit, quite a few of those players were traded or allowed to leave in order to keep costs down. Jermaine Dye was one of those players, being involved in one of the worst trades in Royals history, as he was sent to Colorado for Neifi Perez.

Dye was certainly able to make an impact during his time with the Royals, winning a Gold Glove award and making his first All-Star Game in 2000. During his four and a half years in Kansas City, Dye produced a .284/.344/.477 batting line, hitting 85 home runs. The 33 home runs that he slugged in 2000 are the sixth highest total in a single season in Kansas City Royals history.

Despite winning that Gold Glove, Jermaine Dye was not a great defensive outfielder. He was just about average in terms of range factor during his career, and cost his teams 35 runs in right. However, he did have a strong throwing arm, as he led American League outfielders with 17 assists and six double plays in 1999.

Dye truly blossomed after being traded from the Royals, becoming yet another young player that would go on to success elsewhere. It makes one wonder what those teams in the mid 2000’s could have been if everyone was kept together.

Next: Not O.J.'s A.C.

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2. Al Cowens (1974-1979, 9.7 WAR)

Al Cowens may have put together the most surprising season in Kansas City Royals history. In 1977, Cowens, who had never hit more than four home runs in a season, produced a .312/.361/.525 batting line, hitting 23 home runs and 14 triples. He finished second in the American League MVP vote, only 56 points behind Rod Carew, and won his only Gold Glove award.

While Cowens would have a decent career with the Royals, he never came close to replicating that season. In his time with the Royals, Cowens had a respectable .282/.329/.404 batting line, hitting 45 home runs and stealing eighty bases. Yes, half of Cowens home run total with the Royals came in 1977. He was Brady Anderson before Brady Anderson.

Defensively, Al Cowens was quite the excellent player. He led the American League in runs saved in right from 1976 through 1978. Cowens led American league right fielders with 17 assists in 1977, which was second overall, and led the American League in fielding percentage in 1978 and 1980.

Al Cowens may not have been a star, but for one year, he could certainly have claimed to be. His solid career made him the second best Kansas City Royals right fielder.

Next: Perhaps the best power in Royals history

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1. Danny Tartabull (1987-1991, 13.9 WAR)

Looking at the single season home run leaders in Kansas City Royals history can be a depressing pastime. While we all know that Steve Balboni is the Royals single season home run leader, something else that is interesting about the list is that nine of the ten top spots are taken up by different players. The one player to appear in the top ten twice, and the only Royal to hit thirty home runs in a season twice, is Danny Tartabull.

Tartabull, acquired from the Mariners for Scott Bankhead, was truly a premier power hitter during his time in Kansas City. He posted a .290/.376/.518 batting line in his five years as a Royal, hitting 124 home runs and 146 doubles. He earned his only All-Star appearance in 1991, when he led the American League in slugging and was second with a .990 OPS. Tartabull truly was an impact bat in the middle of the Royals lineup.

For as good as Danny Tartabull was on offense, he struggled defensively. While he was not the worst defensive right fielder in the game, he was typically in the top five in errors and is considered to have cost the Royals 64 runs in his five seasons. Fortunately, Tartabull was quite the threat with the bat.

For that power and his offensive production, Danny Tartabull was the greatest right fielder in Kansas City Royals history.

Next: Kansas City Royals Top Five Shortstops