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

By David Hill |
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Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Last week was essentially the coronation of the Kansas City Royals as the best team in baseball. They already had the best run differential in the game, and after sweeping the Reds and taking two of three from the Cardinals, arguably the Royals biggest contenders to that top spot, have solidified their place as the best team in the game.

Naturally, with the Royals going 4-1 last week, there were quite a few excellent performances. There were a few players that have struggled, but given the way the Royals played, those struggles were minimized.

What we did see where quite a few of the players who had already been hot for the Royals continue to perform at their torrid pace, and some of those who had struggled at times went into another slump. Perhaps some of those players will begin to heat up over the next few weeks.

So, which players were hot and which were not over the past week? Well, there were quite a few players that could have landed on the former part of the list. Conversely, not many players had poor outings, making the latter part of the list a bit more difficult to fill out.

So, let us look back at the week that was and see who was hot and who was not. We will begin with those who struggled last week.

Next: When leadoff hitters don't get on base

Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

3. Alcides Escobar

Putting Alcides Escobar in the leadoff role was a move that many questioned. However, Ned Yost trusted Escobar in that role during the postseason, and he delivered. Why not see if Escobar could handle that role during the regular season?

Thus far, it has worked. The Royals have scored the third most runs in baseball heading into today. The offense has been stellar, a far cry from the offense that we saw last season. While the Kansas City Royals continued to score, Escobar struggled over the past week.

During those five games, Escobar produced a .118/.167/.118 batting line, with only two singles in his 17 at bats. He drew a walk while striking out once, and only scored one run. It was not one of the better weeks for the Royals shortstop on offense.

Fortunately, Escobar’s value goes far beyond what he provided offensively. His defense is still his calling card, and as long as Escobar remains solid with the bat, he will provide value far beyond what we could quantify.

Alcides Escobar provides far more to the Kansas City Royals than his batting line would ever suggest. Hopefully, he can get his bat going this week.

Next: Oh, Omar

Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Omar Infante

It was a rough week for the middle infield of the Kansas City Royals, it seems. We just looked at Alcided Escobar, and joining him on the cold side is his double play partner Omar Infante.

Infante was a slight bit better than Escobar with the bat, producing a .200/.250/.200 batting line, scoring once and driving in a run. He drew a walk and struck out once in his 15 at bats.

Yet, Infante is not the same sort of defensive presence that Escobar is. While Infante is solid with the glove, he is not the same sort of player that Escobar is in the field. His value is definitely tied more into his ability with the bat.

It has been a struggle for Omar Infante for most of the season this year, as he has battled a elbow issues and nagging injuries. Hopefully, he can get on another one of his hot stretches soon.

Next: One of the pitchers had to struggle, right?

Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Luke Hochevar

It speaks to how well the Kansas City Royals played last week that the person who had the worst week pitched two innings. Unfortunately, that means that Luke Hochevar’s struggles this week were only magnified.

In those two innings of work, Hochevar allowed two runs on five hits. While he did not walk a batter and struck out three, Hochevar was also the only player on the Royals to pitch and have an ERA above 4.50. In this case, default would not be the two sweetest words in the English language.

It also speaks volumes to the overall depth of the Kansas City Royals bullpen that Hochevar is either the fifth or sixth arm in that rellief corp. The Royals shutdown bullpen has been a strength for the team, and may be even better than they were last year.

Coming back from his Tommy John surgery, it may just be that Luke Hochevar is hitting a bit of a wall and will break through in the next couple of weeks.

Now, let us look at the hot list from last week!

Next: The Moose is still loose

Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Moustakas

The Mike Moustakas Breakout Season continued strong last week. It is amazing to how much of a difference there has been between the Moustakas that the Kansas City Royals have this season compared to the years past.

Last week, Moustakas produced a .444/.444/.611 batting line, slugging three doubles and driving in two runs. In his 18 at bats, Moustakas only struck out once. His new found ability to make contact and drive the ball the other way has been a joy to watch.

Perhaps the most telling statistic about Moustakas thus far involves hit hit location. This season, Mike Moustakas has 25 hits to the opposite field, the most in baseball. The shift is rapidly being turned into a thing of the past, as Moustakas has become a completely different player this year.

Mike Moustakas has been an important part of the Royals lineup, and it is easy to see why. He has not shown any signs of slowing down thus far, and the breakout seems to be just about official at this point.

Next: He *was* on a roll...

Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Jeremy Guthrie

On the list of all things ironic like that Alanis Morrisette song, this blurb is being written as Jeremy Guthrie is turning in a historic performance. And by historic, we mean that he will be showing up on the “not” side next week. But that is a topic for next Monday.

Last week, we had the good Jeremy Guthrie. He threw six shutout innings, giving up only five hits and two walks, striking out three. With the Royals rotation having their struggles this season, Guthrie’s solid outings over the previous few weeks had helped to stabilize the pitching staff.

Jeremy Guthrie had done exactly what the Royals needed, be that solid veteran presence and eat innings. He was far more than that last week, as he shut down the Reds. It was the type of outing that the Royals needed, and exactly the type of outing that one would expect the veteran Guthrie to put together at the moment the Royals needed it.

It is amazing as to what a difference a week can make. Last week, however, the Kansas City Royals had the excellent Jeremy Guthrie, exactly when they needed him to appear.

Next: The Royals MVP?

Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Kendrys Morales

Dayton Moore had himself quite the offseason, solidifying the Kansas City Royals bullpen, signing Edinson Volquez and bringing in some power to a lineup that desperately needed it. While all of those moves he made, the signing of Kendrys Morales may have been Moore’s best move of the offseason.

Already leading the American League in RBI, Morales has continued his assault on baseballs throughout the game. Last week, he produced a .333/.421/.800 batting line, hitting two home runs and driving in seven. He has also given the Royals lineup an element of patience that was not always there, drawing three walks last week.

Morales was considered a bit of a gamble for the Royals, a player who struggled mightily last season after missing the first two months of the season after being given the qualifying offer. He has more than proven that his 2014 season was a fluke, performing far beyond what most people expected.

Kendrys Morales had quite the week for the Kansas City Royals, continuing a great season. His presence has changed the lineup, making the Royals a much more formidable group.

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

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