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

Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

It was a very difficult week for the Kansas City Royals. Flying high after their excellent performance last week, the Royals ended up going 1-4, being swept by the New York Yankees and splitting a weather shortened series with the Chicago Cubs. To make matters worse, the Royals also lost their lead in the American League Central, falling a half game behind the surprising Minnesota Twins.

There were quite a few culprits as to why the Royals struggled. The pitching staff, for the most part, had their worst week thus far. The offense slumped at the same time, a recipe for disaster if there ever was one. Needless to say, the struggles over the past week were truly a team effort.

While the Royals had to send Danny Duffy to the disabled list this week, they also got back Alex Rios. Since Duffy had been struggling himself, as had the Royals right fielders, this seemed as though it could be a boost for the team. Perhaps it will be next week, as the Royals look to rebound against the Cleveland Indians and the Texas Rangers.

Before we turn the page on last week, hopefully turning to a better chapter in the Kansas City Royals season, let us look back on the week that was. We will begin, as usual, by looking at the players who struggled most in the past week, before ending on a positive note with those whose performance shined for the Royals. Unfortunately, as is to be expected given that 1-4 record, there were a lot more candidates for the cold side.

Next: A rough week for the AL All-Star vote leader

Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

3. Salvador Perez

Well, there was good news for Salvador Perez last week. It was revealed that he is leading the American League in All-Star votes, cementing his place as a virtual lock to start the MidSummer Classic. That was definitely great to see.

Then there was his performance this week. Perez just was not able to get comfortable at the plate, going 1-17 this week. Perez certainly made his hit count, as he hit a solo home run, but he also struck out nine times. That is definitely concerning.

Considering how hot Perez was last week, this just seems to be a bit of a slump. However, he went back to chasing those breaking pitches out of the zone, something he had not been doing as much earlier in the season. It may be worth keeping an eye on over the next few games..

Fortunately, the Royals seem to have found their backup catcher with Drew Butera, allowing Perez to get a game off occasionally. If this is indeed the case, these cold stretches may be able to be minimized, allowing Perez to be that offensive force we know he can be.

Chances are, this was just a rough week at the plate for Salvador Perez. Considering most of the other performances this week, he was just one of many to struggle.

Next: A continuation of the year

Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

2. Omar Infante

Somehow, mainly because the Kansas City Royals faithful have done a tremendous job of stuffing the ballot box, Omar Infante is second in All-Star votes at second base. Judging by his performance thus far, his inclusion in the All-Star Game would be quite the shock to everyone.

Infante has struggled with the bat for most of the season, and last week was no exception. In his 19 at bats, Infante had two hits, both singles. He neither scored nor drove in a run, and struck out three times. It was, unfortunately, the type of week that we have come to expect from Infante this year.

We do know that Infante is battling injuries. He will eventually undergo surgery on his elbow in the offseason. However, given his lackluster performance at the plate, one has to wonder how much longer Ned Yost and the Royals can keep sending him out there every day, especially with an option like Christian Colon playing relatively well thus far.

If Omar Infante keeps struggling, it may be a matter of time before the Royals give Colon more of an extended look at second. At this point, one has to wonder how long that will take.

Next: A truly historical performance

Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

3. Wade Davis

At this point, we may need to begin to wonder if the Kansas City Royals replaced Wade Davis with a strike throwing cyborg at the end of the 2013 season, and no one noticed. Since converting to the bullpen, Davis has been a true force of nature, turning into the best setup man in baseball.

On the heels of his amazing 2014 season, he has been even better this year. Last week, Davis allowed only one hit in his three innings of work, walking two while striking out five batters. This continues his run for the start of the 2015 season where Davis has yet to allow a run, earned or otherwise, this year.

It would have been foolhardy to expect that Davis would have been able to replicate his 2014 campaign, which may be considered one of the ten best in baseball history for a pitcher who pitched over fifty innings. Instead, he has improved upon that season thus far. Despite a dropoff in strikeouts, Davis has allowed only nine hits and six walks in 22 innings this season, posting an incredible 0.682 WHiP.

Wade Davis has turned into one of the more reliable relievers in baseball, and has been a true weapon for the Royals. Last week was a continuance of that dominance.

Next: One of the few bright spots on offense

Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

2. Alex Gordon

In a week that resulted in a severe offensive drought, those players who actually performed well with the bat truly stood out. Of those few players, Alex Gordon’s performance was possibly the best of the week.

With the way that the Kansas City Royals had been hitting the ball for most of the season, Gordon’s .294/.368/.529 batting line may not have even come upon the radar. However, as the Royals produced a meager .201/.255/.316 batting line last week, those numbers stand out quite a bit.

Gordon not only hit a home run and tied for the team lead in RBI last week with two, but he continued to make those Platinum Gloves plays on defense that we have become so accustomed to. Even if Gordon is not swinging the bat in a way that can carry the Royals (to be fair, Barry Bonds in his prime would not have carried the offense last week), he is still able to make plays that minimize the damage.

Hopefully, the Royals and Alex Gordon can take the offense back to their previous levels. Last week, Gordon certainly did his part.

Next: The 'Ace' finally emerges

Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

1. Yordano Ventura

During a week that saw some truly horrific pitching performances, the Kansas City Royals needed a spark from their starting rotation. Yordano Ventura certainly provided that boost for the Royals last week.

As the starter in the Royals marathon eleven inning loss to the Cubs, Ventura did his part. Ventura pitched seven excellent innings, allowing one run on four hits and a walk, striking out six batters. It was the type of performance that the Royals had been waiting for all season.

This type of outing may be a springboard for Ventura through the rest of the season. He closed out May with two solid outings in his last three starts, and has allowed only five runs in his last 21 innings, striking out 19 while issuing only three walks. That is exactly what the Royals need from the pitcher who they envisioned as taking over the role as the staff ace.

Yordano Ventura may finally be starting to get comfortable in his role as the staff ace. If so, that could go a long way towards solidifying the Kansas City Royals starting rotation.

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