Kansas City Royals Rewind: Omar Infante Looks Like an All-Star
Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
After a difficult few weeks, the Kansas City Royals had the luxury of facing two last place teams struggling to get out of their own way. Both the Milwaukee Brewers and the Boston Red Sox were facing the Royals at a time when the boys in blue needed to right the ship themselves. This seemed to be the perfect time for that to happen.
Well, that sort of happened. Yes, the Royals were 5-2 last week, but that was mainly due to their sweep of the Brewers during their home and home series. The Red Sox, who somehow had their number last season, continued their ability to handle the Royals, as Kansas City lost two of the three games during the weekend set.
Even though that last series was a disappointment, the Royals still find themselves with the best record in the American League, and 3.5 games ahead of the Minnesota Twins in the American League Central. Despite the injury concerns, the shaky starting rotation and the occasionally disappearing offense, the Royals have still managed to overcome their obstacles to find themselves atop the AL.
During a week where Ned Yost fittingly won the 411th game, the most in Kansas City Royals history, against his former team, this ability to persevere and win despite the injuries speaks volumes for what they are. Now, if only the Royals could actually defeat that pesky team from Boston….
Let us take a final look back at the week that was, and reflect on those players who made a positive impact upon the Kansas City Royals this week, and those who struggled. As always, we begin with those players who had a rough time of the week that was.
Next: A rough week in the dirty south
Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
3. Greg Holland
A quick look at the stat line for Greg Holland is definitely not flattering. While the Kansas City Royals closer did record both saves he went out for, Holland also gave up three runs on four hits and two walks during his two innings of work. That is definitely not a pretty stat line.
However, this is one of those cases where statistics can be deceiving. All three of those runs, and every baserunner except one, came during his disastrous outing against the Brewers, where Holland did not retire a single one of the five batters that he faced that night. That caused his ERA for the year to double from 1.76 to 3.52 in just that one appearance.
Every pitcher will likely have that one bad outing. Even the best in the game sometimes just do not have anything during any given appearance. That was just the case with Holland, who has provided more than sufficient proof as to why the Royals should feel confident when he enters the game.
During a week when, for the most part, the Kansas City Royals were playing excellent baseball, Greg Holland had the unfortunate timing of having what may have been his worst outing in his career.
Next: It's not pronounced 'PEAR-ez!'
Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
How hot was the Kansas City Royals offense last week? Seven of the Royals regulars batted over .300, and Alex Rios just missed the mark, producing a .294 batting average. The one regular who was not close to that mark? Salvador Perez.
Yet, that does not mean that Perez was not a factor for the Royals. His .240/.240/.360 batting line was not exactly stellar, but he did hit a home run while providing his usual solid defense. It just happened that, as the rest of the Royals lineup found their groove, Perez struggled slightly.
It is, however, comforting to see that Perez did hit a home run last week. This gave him eleven home runs on the year, making it possible that Perez has finally unlocked his raw power potential. Now, if only he was able to be a bit more selective at the plate, waiting for those pitches that he could send into the fountains instead of waving at breaking pitches low and away.
While it was not a horrendous week by any stretch of the imagination, Salvador Perez struggled compared to the rest of the Kansas City Royals lineup. There is nothing to worry about here.
Next: That start did not go as planned
Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
1. Yohan Pino
With the Kansas City Royals starting rotation in a state of flux, especially with Yordano Ventura being placed on the disabled list, there was an opportunity to be seized. Yohan Pino, back to the Royals once again, was unable to take advantage of the chance.
Instead, in his outing against the Red Sox, Pino struggled mightily. In his 5.1 innings, Pino gave up six runs on eleven hits and a walk. Yes, five of those runs came in a disastrous second inning, but he still struggled to get anything going against the Red Sox.
Yet, Pino’s outing was not a complete debacle. Even though the Royals lost, Pino was able to pitch into the sixth, helping to save the bullpen. Yes, this was not what the Royals were hoping for, especially as they were looking for someone to fill Ventura’s place in the rotation, but it could have been a lot worse.
Yohan Pino had a chance to step up and potentially claim a spot in the Kansas City Royals rotation, even if it was a temporary stay. However, he just was not able to take advantage of the opportunity.
Now, let us look at who was hot for the Royals over the past week.
Next: A star blossoming before our eyes
Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
3. Lorenzo Cain
Lorenzo Cain has gone from being that raw talent, a prospect with all the measurables but questions as to whether or not he could put everything together, to a burgeoning star for the Kansas City Royals. It has been fun to watch Cain transition into one of the more dynamic players in baseball.
That all around game was on display last week. Cain produced a .370/.438/.778 batting line last week, filling up the stat book. Of his ten hits, Cain had a double, two triples and two home runs. He chipped in with three steals and continued to show improved patience at the plate, walking four times.
Cain, with his all around game, is beginning to look a lot like another American League Central center fielder. While it may seem premature to begin the comparisons to Torii Hunter during his prime, that is the type of ceiling that Cain has displayed. He certainly proved that last week.
When trying to determine who the most valuable player is for the Kansas City Royals, Lorenzo Cain is certainly in the conversation. If only they could lock him up long term….
Next: Staking a claim to a rotation spot
Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
2. Joe Blanton
Back in 2013, Joe Blanton was in the midst of a truly horrific season, as he posted a 2-14 record with a 6.04 ERA and a 1.613 WHiP. Somehow, he appeared in 28 games, including twenty starts. Blanton appeared to have nothing left, and after struggling in two minor league starts for the Sacramento River Cats, that suspicion seemed to be confirmed.
However, with the Kansas City Royals, Blanton has been a different pitcher. Originally brought back as a reliever, Blanton was forced back into the starting rotation due to the myriad of injuries that the Royals have suffered. He responded by picking up his first victory since June 29, 2013, allowing one run in five hits over five innings, striking out four.
This continues what has been a stellar return to the majors for Blanton. On the year, he has posted a 1.80 ERA and a 1.100 WHiP, striking out 17 against one walk in twenty innings. If the Royals can get anything close to this production while sorting out the health of the rotation, those injuries will not be nearly as devastating as they were thought to be.
Joe Blanton’s run of success with the Kansas City Royals has been truly remarkable. If this continues, he may be able to take over from Chris Young as the American League Comeback Player of the Year.
Next: An All-Star performance
Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
1. Omar Infante
Through no fault of his own, Omar Infante has become the poster child for everything that is considered to be wrong with the All-Star vote. The Kansas City Royals second baseman, who has been one of the worst players in baseball this season, leads his position in votes and is slated to start the game as of this point. Naturally, this has led to quite the uproar.
However, last week, Infante may have had his best stretch as a member of the Royals. he produced a .407/.407/.519 batting line with three doubles. Even more impressively, Infante, who had looked lost at the plate at tines, struck out only twice.
This may be a sign that Infante’s offense, which had been dormant all season, is finally starting to come to life. The Royals certainly hope so, as they need a spark from that position. While it is just one spot in the lineup, Infante had been an almost automatic out for much of the season.
Maybe it will not quiet the outrage over Omar Infante being the starting second baseman in the All-Star Game, at least until the new results are announced later today. However, Infante’s production was certainly a great sign for the Kansas City Royals.