Kansas City Royals Top Five Starting Pitchers

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1. Kevin Appier (1989-1999, 2003-2004, 44.4 WAR)

Of the pitchers on this list, Kevin Appier is the one that did not really get to experience the Kansas City Royals Golden Age. He came up towards the end of their run of relevance, only to suffer through the beginnings of the Royals cost cutting. Personally, the trade benefited Appier, as he was able to eventually end up with the Angels, winning a World Series in 2002.

Appier made his return to the Royals after being released in 2003, becoming a part of the one team to finish over .500 in the middle of a two decade run of mediocrity, but he was a shadow of himself by that point. He still managed to hang on long enough to get a slight taste of winning in Kansas City.

Overall for the Royals, Kevin Appier posted a 115-92 record with a 3.49 ERA and a 1.250 WHiP. He was an All-Star in 1995, led the American League with a 2.56 ERA in 1993 and finished third in the Cy Young vote that same season. He was truly consistent during his time in Kansas City and was a solid pitcher to place atop the rotation.

That consistency made Kevin Appier the best pitcher in Kansas City Royals history. While he may not have had that truly standout season, that does not diminish his contribution to the Royals. He was, quite simply, the best pitcher the Royals have had overall.

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