Kansas City Royals All Time 25 Man Roster

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Starting Pitcher – Kevin Appier

Kevin Appier may not have been the flashiest pitcher. He only made one All-Star game in his career, and received votes for the Cy Young award in 1993. He pitched during a time when the Kansas City Royals were in the midst of selling off any possible asset they had in an attempt to limit payroll and maximize profits, which hurt his ability to be recognized.

Appier was a tremendous workhorse for the Royals, pitching over 200 innings in six of his eight full seasons in Kansas City. Typically pitching to an ERA in the mid 3.00’s, Appier did a great job of eating innings and performing well in the middle of the Royals rotation. When trades forced him to become the staff ace, Appier proved he could handle that role as well.

During his career with the Royals, Appier posted a 115-92 record with a 3.49 ERA and a 1.250 WHiP, striking out 1458 batters against 634 walks in 1843.2 innings of work. His 2.56 ERA 1993 was the best in the American League, and he finished in the top ten in strikeouts each year from 1993 through 1997. A master at keeping the ball in the yard, Appier allowed only 138 home runs during his 13 seasons in Kansas City.

After a fall that resulted in a separated clavicle and surgery to repair a torn labrum, Kevin Appier was never the same pitcher. Yet, during his first run with the Kansas City Royals, he was a solid middle of the rotation arm who had the potential to be a lot more.Had he remained healthy, it would have been interesting to see the pitcher he could have been.

Next: A dominant prime