Kansas City Royals Week Four Review: Who’s Hot, Who’s Not

Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

We are now another week into the 2015 season for the Kansas City Royals. Now that the calender has flipped to May and the weather is warming up, we are starting to get a sense of what teams could be. While it may be a bit early to make a definitive determination, we can, at the very least, make a fairly reasonable hypothesis.

What that hypothesis says thus far is that the Kansas City Royals are a lot better than the prognosticators and experts thought. Currently 16-9, the Royals have the fifth best record in baseball and the third best record in the American League. Not bad for a team that had an “underwhelming” offseason.

This past week found the Royals in the midst of their tour of the American League Central, as they faced off against the Lowly Indians and the thorn in the side Tigers. The Royals took two of three from the Indians while splitting the four game set with Detroit. Since the Royals were 6-13 against the Tigers last year, this showing is definitely progress.

As the Royals head off to that final leg of their three week set against the Central, we take a look back at the week that was. Here are the three players that were hot, and three that were not, for the Kansas City Royals during the fourth week of the regular season.

Next: Still slugging behind the plate

Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

2. Chris Young

Chris Young was a nice security blanket for the Kansas City Royals. Sitting in the bullpen as a long reliever, Young is an excellent depth pitcher for the starting rotation, and a good soldier who understands his role. He has been solid this season as a reliever, biding his time until he gets to start.

He was certainly impressive this week, allowing only one hit over six shutout innings. However, Young truly impressed in that spot start, striking out nine in five no hit innings against the Tigers on Friday. That outing would have been impressive in its own right, but as a spot start, it was truly amazing.

While Young was originally slated as a depth piece, that outing may have helped him make a case to remain in the starting rotation. Jeremy Guthrie (more on him later) struggled again this week, and considering the fight the Royals are likely to have with the Tigers for the Central, one has to wonder how long they can keep him in the rotation. Young definitely put himself into the conversation to take his place.

Chris Young made a truly excellent start for the Kansas City Royals last week. He may have several more coming in the near future.

Next: The Wizard of Hoz

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1. Eric Hosmer

We have all been excited about the breakout performance that Mike Moustakas has put together thus far in the 2015 season, but we seem to be overlooking the season that Eric Hosmer has had thus far. Typically a slow starter, Hosmer had been solid over the first three weeks of the season before truly getting himself going this past week.

In the past seven days, Hosmer has posted a .345/.387/.655 batting line, slugging two home runs and three doubles among his ten hits. While Hosmer did strike out eight times in his 29 at bats this week, he more than offset that amount with his power and ability to drive the ball.

Currently hitting at a .315/.402/.489 rate this season, Hosmer is showing excellent patience at the plate and has been hitting the ball well. In fact, he looks like the player he was over the final four months of the 2013 season once George Brett got his hands on him. Now, to have him break out at the same time as Moustakas is truly rewarding the patience that the Kansas City Royals had.

While Eric Hosmer has been solid offensively, he has become known more for his glove. If he keeps hitting like he has been, that perception may change.

Now, which players were cold for the Royals last week?

Next: Trying to pitch on Guts alone

Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

3. Jeremy Guthrie

I know it seems like Jeremy Guthrie has been the convenient whipping boy for the concerns about the Kansas City Royals rotation. He has certainly been a good pitcher during his time in Kansas City, and an excellent teammate. He has been a strong veteran presence on what is still a relatively young pitching staff. Guthrie certainly has his uses.

However, it may be time to consider changing his role. Last week, Guthrie posted a 8.18 ERA, allowing ten runs in eleven innings. He also allowed twenty baserunners, with 17 hits and three walks, during his two starts.

This just continues a string of relatively poor performances by Jeremy Guthrie this season. Overall, he has posted a 6.52 ERA and a 1.586 WHiP. With the Royals expected to be in quite the battle with the Detriot Tigers for the Central this year, every game matters. If Guthrie is not giving the Royals what they need, then it may be time to look elsewhere.

Maybe this is just a bad month, and Jeremy Guthrie will get back to being the pitcher we have all come to expect. But his continued presence on the cold side of these lists is beginning to get concerning.

Next: Can't stay hot forever

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2. Paulo Orlando

We had to know that, at some point in time, the Paulo Orlando Experience would go through a rough patch. After all, it was not likely that a 29 year old career minor leaguer would turn into the second coming of Sam Crawford upon reaching the major leagues.

This week was one of those rough patches. Perhaps pitchers are beginning to adjust to Orlando, as he produced a mere .133/.133/.133 batting line. It has now been almost two weeks since his last triple, making us wonder if there is something wrong with KC3PO. He’s supposed to be a triples hitting droid!

If this is a matter of pitchers beginning to adjust to Paulo Orlando now that there is a bit of a scouting report on him, it will be fascinating to how he adjusts to those adjustments. After all, that is the difference between someone that can thrive in the majors and someone who is a backup or minor league depth player. Can Orlando make the chances necessary?

We still have a bit of time before Alex Rios is slated to come back from his wrist injury. These next couple of weeks should be key to seeing what, exactly, Paulo Orlando can be for the Royals.

Next: At least he wasn't ejected

Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

1. Yordano Ventura

When one is the ace of a starting rotation, there are certain expectations. Those expectations are magnified when that ace can throw 100 MPH fastballs with ease, firing the heat late into games. At the very least, those expectations involve being properly hydrated and not being thrown out of games on a semi-regular basis.

On the plus side, Yordano Ventura did not experience his cramping issues, nor was he thrown out of the game. However, that was about the only positive from his week. Against the Indians, Ventura allowed five runs on six hits and four walks in 5.1 innings of work. Yes, the definition of the strike zone may have been very nebulous, but that does not excuse this performance.

The Kansas City Royals need to have strong pitching in order to contend. While the offensive surge has been amazing to watch, they need Ventura to step up and take on that ace role. That means being the stopper, being the pitcher who can go toe to toe with the best in the American League while putting the Royals on his back.

We know he can do this. Ventura certainly proved so during the World Series last year. Now, he needs to take that mindset and fire and channel it into being that top of the rotation starter the Royals need him to be.

Next: Royals Week Three Review: Who's Hot, Who's Not