Kansas City Royals Bold Predictions for 2015

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Co-editor Dave Hill has a prediction for a member of the Kansas City Royals who will appear in the Cy Young balloting this season:

If one was to expect a member of the Kansas City Royals to contend for the Cy Young Award, chances are Edinson Volquez would not be the first name you would think of. Volquez may not even be the third or fourth name to come to mind. Howevr, that does not mean anything.

Brought in to replace James Shields, Volquez actually posted similar numbers in 2014, producing a 3.04 ERA and a 1.230 WHiP. His control had improved considerably, as he began attacking the strike zone and relying more on his sinker. As the Pirates had one of the better infield defenses in baseball, this strategy certainly paid off.

As good as the Pirates defense was, the Kansas City Royals are the best defensive team in baseball. Edinson Volquez will feel even more comfortable pounding the zone, and will ride that new found control and the Royals defense to an even better season, winning twenty games and posting an ERA around 2.80. While he won’t win the Cy Young award, he will finish in the top three on the ballot.

Edinson Volquez won’t just replace James Shields – he will greatly outperform him.

Next: To the minors!