Kansas City Royals Biggest Surprises in 2015

Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Moustakas has finally broken out.

For years, the Kansas City Royals have been waiting for the Mike Moustakas breakout season. Just a year ago, it appeared as though that year would never occur, as Moustakas had struggled to the point of being sent to Omaha. Even when he returned, the results were not exactly stellar, leading one to wonder if Moustakas would ever reach his potential.

During the Royals postseason run, we saw a glimmer of hope that this breakthrough could actually happen. While his batting average was not the greatest at .231, Moustakas did hit five home runs to help spur the Royals unexpected postseason power surge. The hope was that this performance would serve as a springboard for the 2015 season.

Well, it certainly did so. Moustakas has been a completely different batter this season, driving the ball to all fields while producing a career best .282/.348/.447 batting line. He has hit fifteen home runs and 27 doubles on the season, while posting the lowest strikeout rate and highest walk rates of his career. He may not be the thirty home run hitter the Royals had hoped for as he came up through the minors, but this is close to the Moustakas they had hoped for.

At 26 years old, Mike Moustakas may be about to enter his prime years. If this season is any indication, the Kansas City Royals may be getting something close to what they had hoped for all this time.

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