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

Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Well, the Kansas City Royals have officially served notice to the American League Central that they are a contender as well. After being owned by the Detroit Tigers last season, the Royals put their foot down, taking two of three from the Tigers to take a 1.5 game lead in the Central. Yes, it is still early in the season, but having a 4-3 record against a team that won 13 of the 19 contests between the clubs last year is always a great start.

Seemingly the best part of the series victory was how it came while the Royals were short handed. Jason Vargas was placed on the disabled list, and Mike Moustakas missed the series due to a family emergency. Yet, that did not derail the Royals, as both Chris Young and Christian Colon filled in admirably.

Currently sitting at 20-11, the Kansas City Royals have the best record in the American League and the third best record in baseball. Just think about that – the best record in the American League. Considering where the Royals were even halfway through the 2014 season, it certainly speaks volumes for how far they have come. The good times are back in Kansas City, and it is a wonderful thing to see.

Let us look back at the week that was Week Five in the 2015 season, and see which players made an impact upon the Royals 4-2 record this past week.

We will begin by looking over which players struggled last week.

Next: Hopefully, no more of this

Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

3. Franklin Morales

Being a part of the Kansas City Royals bullpen, one is held to a truly lofty standard. We are used to seeing pitchers come in, domination the opposition and utterly crush their hopes and dreams. With the astonishing depth of the bullpen, the Royals relief corp is truly the envy of baseball.

Unfortunately, Franklin Morales was unable to keep up his end of the bargain last week. In his two appearances, Morales gave up four runs on five hits and a walk in his three innings of work. It just was not a good week for Morales.

Normally, this would not be much of a concern. After all, Morales is more of a situational reliever for the Royals at this point. However, he is the only lefty reliever in the Kansas City Royals bullpen. While getting into a battle of bullpens with the Royals may work about as well as fighting  land war in Asia, having the only left handed reliever in the bullpen struggle is a bit of a concern.

Hopefully, this is just a blip on the radar, and Franklin Morales will return as another bullpen in the loaded gun of a bullpen that the Royals possess.

Next: Bound to happen sometime

Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

2. Salvador Perez

Given the strong start that Salvador Perez had to the season, one had to hope that he would avoid being on the side of the ledger for quite some time. Even as he continued to play virtually every day, Perez had a strong start to the season, once again looking like the best catcher in the game.

However, as had to be expected, Perez slumped this week. While he was still just as spry as ever behind the plate, his production in the lineup slipped, as Perez posted a .150/.150/.300 batting line. Fortunately, this just looks to be more of a matter of bad luck, as Perez only struck out twice. It is not as though he has been overmatched.

Perhaps getting the occasional day off will help. Ned Yost seems to like Drew Butera, as he has made as many starts in his four days with the Royals as Erik Kratz made in a month. Now Yost does not need to worry about taking a hit defensively with Perez’ Golden Glove getting a day off.

Chances are, we will see Salvador Perez on the hot list soon. We’ll just call this a one week blip on the radar.

Next: Should we start to be concerned?

Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

1. Danny Duffy

With James Shields departing via free agency, the Kansas City Royals were counting on Yordano Ventura and Danny Duffy to head the rotation. While neither have exactly lived up to those expectations, Duffy has been strikingly inconsistent.

Last week, Duffy had what may have been his worst start in his career. He failed to get an out in the second inning, as he allowed four runs on six hits in his inning of work. That just is not the type of performance that the Royals need from their second starter.

In fact, it may be fair to wonder about whether or not the Royals should be concerned about Duffy going forward. He is averaging under five innings per start, and while he had three strong outings prior to last week’s implosion, he just does not look like the same pitcher that he was last year. Even in those three starts where Duffy produced a 1.56 ERA, he had a 1.442 WHiP, indicating a degree of luck.

Hopefully, this is just a rough start for Duffy as he acclimates to a larger role within the rotation. However, one has to wonder if these inconsistencies will continue all year.

Now, on to the hot list!

Next: Pure dominance

Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

3. Wade Davis

At times, it seems as though the Kansas City Royals are rolling out three or four closers at the end of games. Greg Holland is perhaps the best closer int he game, last night’s heart attack not withstanding. Then the Royals have Wade Davis, Kelvin Herrera and Luke Hochevar. It is truly unfair.

Davis, in particular, has turned into an absolute weapon for the Royals since his conversion to the bullpen, looking like a closer in waiting. He certainly handled the role admirably when Holland was injured, and continued his dominance when pushed back to the set up role. Last week, in his four appearances, Davis allowed one hit and a walk in four innings, striking out two batters.

While Davis is not striking out the opposition at the same rate he was last season, he has been even more dominant. allowing seven baserunners over his 14 innings this year. Quite simply, when Davis is on the mound, the opposition should just concede and hope for the best against Holland.

Wade Davis has been truly dominant this year, and last week was no exception. His stellar 2014 season may have just been a precursor to what the Royals have gotten thus far in 2015.

Next: Rasputin lives again!

Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

2. Jeremy Guthrie

Just when we thought we were out, Guthrie pulls us back in. The Royals Rasputin, the pitcher that seemingly exists on the edge of being yanked from the rotation, did it once again last week, putting together an excellent performance right when it was most needed.

Having lost their first game against the Detroit Tigers, Guthrie put the Kansas City Royals on his back on Saturday, keeping the Tigers hitters off balance for most of the game. In his 7.1 innings, Guthrie allowed only two runs on eight hits and a walk, striking out three. This was the type of start that the Royals and Guthrie desperately needed.

Even more importantly, this start was able to save the Royals bullpen. The bullpen, as deep as it is, has been quite overworked during the early part of the year, as the Royals starters just have not pitched deep into games. Guthrie having the type of performance that we had hoped for, was a major boost for the relief corp.

Granted a reprieve due to Jason Vargas’ injury, Jeremy Guthrie took advantage, posting his best start of the season. It may be that the Real J Guts is back.

Next: The hottest hitter on the Royals