Kansas City Royals Top Ten Pitchers in Franchise History

Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

[Note: John Viril also contributed to this story]

Over the past few seasons, the Kansas City Royals have become known for their bullpen. But in their history, quite a few excellent pitchers have come through Kauffman Stadium.

In the past week, we have taken a couple of trips through the history of the Kansas City Royals. We have looked at the ten best postseason pitching performances in team history, and put together an all time 25 man roster for the Royals. It has been a fun trip down memory lane.

Yet, despite putting those lists together, they may not reflect the best pitchers in KC Royals history. Ideally, the 25 man roster should, but there may be starters who did not make the cut for various relievers. Likewise, there could be a pitcher that flashed across the Royals landscape, but did not have that longevity to fit on the roster.

So, let us ignore all that. Let us forget about trying to fill out a pitching staff, or various roles for these pitchers. Instead, let us look at the ten best pitchers, regardless of their role, to come through the Kansas City Royals.

Naturally, this list is subjective. While the FanGraphs approximation of WAR was used, in part, to determine the list, production, longevity and what the players meant to the Royals factored in as well. With that being the case, there may be pitchers who were left off that could have a case for inclusion. If you feel that a pitcher was snubbed, let us know in the comments.

Next: An original Royal

Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

10. Dick Drago

Dick Drago had a number of interesting moments throughout his career. He allowed the final home run that Hank Aaron hit in his illustrious career. Drago once pitched a complete game, and faced only 13 batters in doing so, done in by a Frank Robinson home run in the first inning. His career was definitely interesting.

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Drago was also a part of the first Kansas City Royals squad, selected with the 31st pick in the expansion draft. While he would transition to the bullpen later in his career, Drago was mainly a starter in Kansas City, making all but 22 of his appearances in the rotation. Drago also holds the distinction of being the first member of the Royals to receive a vote for the Cy Young award, which he earned in 1971.

Overall for the Royals, Drago posted a 61-70 record with a 3.52 ERA and a 1.298 WHiP. He struck out 577 batters in 1134 innings, while recording 53 complete games and ten shutouts in his five years with the Royals. Drago is also eighth all time with a 16.6 WAR for Kansas City, showing his value even though his numbers are not quite what one would expect from a top pitcher in team history.

One of the original members of the Kansas City Royals, Dick Drago had a memorable career. Despite the lack of counting statistics, Drago was one of the first solid pitchers that the Royals had in their rotation.

Next: The saves leader

Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

8. Charlie Leibrandt

Charlie Leibrandt is mainly remembered for his struggles in the psotseason. Despite a solid 3.77 career postseason ERA and a 1.256 WHiP, he was only 1-7 in 13 career playoff appearances. Yet, without Leibrandt, it could be argued that the Royals would not have won the World Series in 1985.

Even though that 1985 team is remembered due to the pitching exploits of Bret Saberhagen, Leibrandt was just as effective. That year, he pitched to a 17-9 record with a 2.69 ERA and a 1.224 WHiP, despite striking out only 108 batters in 237.2 innings of work. His performance, although overshadowed by Saberhagen, was good enough to garner a fifth place finish in the Cy Young award balloting that season.

During his six years in Kansas City, Leibrandt was a solid starter. He posted a 76-61 record with a 3.60 ERA and a 1.315 WHiP. Even though he was not overpowering, striking out only 4.4 batters per nine innings, Leibrandt limited the damage by barely allowing a walk, as he issued only 2.6 free passes per nine.

Charlie Leibrandt was a solid starter for the Royals en route to their first World Series title. Seventh all time with an 18.7 WAR, he was better than how he is remembered.

Next: A part of the Royals pantheon

Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

7. Dan Quisenberry

There are a number of arguments either for or against the WAR statistic. One of the issues with this metric is that closers tend to be undervalued. Such is the case with the late Dan Quisenberry who, despite his six year run of dominance for the Kansas City Royals, ranks only twelfth all time with a 13.7 WAR.

KC Kingdom

Yet, as dismissive of his accomplishments as the metric may be, there is no denying what Quisenberry meant to the Royals. Arguably the best closer in baseball from 1980 through 1985, Quisenberry made three All-Star games, finished in the top five of the Cy Young balloting five times, and finished as high as third in the 1984 MVP vote. He set what was then a major league record with 45 saves in 1983, frustrating the opposition as his submarine style had opponents hammer the ball into the ground.

As unorthodox of a closer as he may have been, even back in the early to mid 1980’s, Quisenberry was quite effective. With the Royals, he notched 238 saves while recording a 2.55 ERA and a 1.150 WHiP. His superb control was the stuff of legend, as Quisenberry allowed only 81 unintentional walks and four wild pitches in his ten seasons with the Royals.

One of the all time greats on the Royals, it is no surprise to see Dan Quisenberry on this list. In fact, despite the bias that WAR has against closers, he likely could have ranked even higher.

Next: Setting up the current Golden Age

Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

6. Zack Greinke

During the World Series parade and celebration a month ago, the Kansas City Royals players thanked quite a few people. One person who was conspicuously thanked was by Salvador Perez, who decided to thank Zack Greinke. Greinke, in demanding a trade, not only netted the Royals Lorenzo Cain and Alcides Escobar, but brought back another prospect who was sent to the Rays for Wade Davis. Greinke certainly helped shape that 2015 team.

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Yet, it would be unfair to remember Greinke just for that trade demand and what those players became. He overcame battles with depression and anxiety to be a productive part of the Royals rotation in the latter half of the 2000’s, even after a mental breakdown almost led to his leaving baseball altogether. His success is rooted in the patience and understanding the Royals had in their former top prospect.

Greinke is also remembered for his magical 2009 season, when he won the Cy Young award despite pitching on a team that won a total 65 games. Stuck on mediocre Royals squads, Greinke’s overall 60-69 record may not impress, just as his 3.82 ERA and 1.264 WHiP seem to be about average, but he truly came into his own in 2007. During that time, Greinke recorded a 46-39 record with a 3.32 ERA and a 1.210 WHiP, turning into the ace caliber pitcher the Royals expected.

It is certainly fair to thank Zack Greinke for being the piece that allowed the Royals to get back three key contributors to the 2015 World Series winning squad. But let us not forget his contributions in a Royals uniform.

Next: A true Royals lifer

Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

5. Paul Splittorff

Paul Splittorff was a part of the Kansas City Royals first ever MLB Amateur Draft, selected in the 25th round in 1968. Little could the Royals have realized at the time that they would have drafted a pitcher who would spend virtually the rest of his life as a member of the franchise.

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During his playing days, Splittorff was known for his high leg kick, using that distinctive feature of his windup to help provide a manner of deception to his delivery. Later, following his playing career, he served as a broadcaster for the Royals, a role he had until his death in 2011 from throat cancer and melanoma.

A look at the Royals record books would show Splittorff’s place in team history. He finished with a 166-143 record, with his win total the highest in Royals team history. His 2554.2 innings is also a team record, during which time Splittorff produced a 3.81 ERA and a 1.340 WHiP, marks that were about league average during his career.

Paul Splittorff was not overpowering by any stretch of the imagination, striking out under four batters per nine innings, but he was remarkably effective. His ability to generate weak contact and fool the opponent earned him a place among the best Royals pitchers of all time.

Next: What could have been

Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

4. Mark Gubicza

Mark Gubicza was expected to be a part of the next run of dominance for the Kansas City Royals. Paired with Bret Saberhagen, he was expected to give Kansas City a duo atop the rotation that would lead them back to the postseason. While that return to the playoffs did not happen, for a time, Gubicza was exactly the pitcher that the Royals hoped for.

Unfortunately, after his 1989 season that saw Gubicza make his second All-Star Game, injuries took their toll. Shoulder and arm injuries robbed him of his fastball, and he was unable to stay healthy afterwards. In fact, Gubicza only had two seasons after 1989 where he was able to make at least 25 starts.

Overall during his time in Kansas City, Gubicza produced a 132-135 record with a 3.91 ERA and a 1.356 WHiP, striking out 1366 batters in 2218.2 innings of work. Prior to those injuries that sapped his arm strength, Gubicza appeared to be an emerging star, posting a 84-67 record with a 3.51 ERA and a 1.306 WHiP, striking out 850 batters in 1313.1 innings.

One has to wonder what would have been if Mark Gubicza had remained healthy. With Ewing Kauffman chasing one last title before his passing, a healthy Gubicza could have been the difference.

Next: Another tale of two careers

Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

3. Dennis Leonard

If the story of Mark Gubicza seemed familiar to Kansas City Royals fans, that would be due to a similar situation a decade prior. Before Gubicza lost his effectiveness due to injury, the same problems happened with workhorse Dennis Leonard.

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That sudden ineffectiveness was likely a result of being overworked. In the four year span from 1978 through 1981, Leonard led the American League in games started three times. From 1977 through 1980, Leonard averaged an amazing 276 innings per season, not including the postseason. All of those innings caught up to Leonard in 1982, as he was never the same after the strike and due to injury woes.

Overall, Leonard had a solid career with the Royals, posting a 144-106 record with a 3.70 ERA and a 1.262 WHiP. He struck out 1323 batters while walking only 622 in his 2187 innings of work. Leonard was also masterful at keeping the ball in the yard, allowing fewer than one home run per nine innings.

Much like Gubicza, one has to wonder what would have been if Leonard had stayed healthy. A true workhorse and a dominant starter for the Royals, Leonard could have truly been one of the best of his time.

Next: The best during the Royals worst

Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

2. Kevin Appier

During the time between the passing of Ewing Kauffman and the Kansas City Royals rebirth three years ago, there were not many positive moments. The Royals had the surprise year of 2003, Zack Greinke’s Cy Young season and Kevin Appier. That was about it.

Appier, however, really was a terrific pitcher whose best years got swallowed by the stench of the KC Royals dark ages. In fact, Kevin Appier has the highest career Wins Above Replacement (WAR) of any Royals starter with 47.3 bWAR—including the guy that’s no. 1 on our list.

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In 13 years in Kansas City, Kevin Appier compiled a 115-92 record, 3.49 ERA, a franchise best career 130 ERA+ for a starter and a WHiP of 1.250. Appier finished third in the Rookie of the Year voting in 1990 for his 12-8, 2.76 ERA in his debut season. He finished third in the Cy Young vote for his truly phenomenal 1993 season in which he went 18-8 and led the American League in ERA at 2.56.

To be honest, Appier was robbed of the Cy Young in 1993. He finished behind Jack McDowell and Randy Johnson, despite a significantly better ERA, ERA+, and FIP than both of his competitors. Unfortunately, early 90’s voters still believed wins were a significant starting pitcher statistic and rewarded McDowell for his league-best 22 victories.

Appier finished with only one All-Star appearance while playing with the KC Royals, earning the nod in his 15-10, 3.89 ERA season in 1995. The Royals dealt him to Oakland at the deadline in 1999, and Appier played five more seasons with the A’s, Mets, and Angels before returning to Kansas City in 2003-04.

Fortunately for Kevin Appier, he did get the chance to play in the post-season for both Oakland (2000) and Anaheim—winning the World Series in 2002.

Next: The Kid That Helped KC Win Their First Title

Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

1. Bret Saberhagen

Bret Saberhagen was the original kid Royals pitcher that set the mold later followed by Zack Greinke. Saberhagen was a precocious 20-year-old during his rookie season in 1984 when he posted a respectable 10-11 record, with a 3.48 ERA in 157.2 innings pitched.

The next season, Bret Saberhagen won both the American League Cy Young Award and the 1985 World Series MVP Award. So much for the sophomore jinx!

Betsided

Saberhagen enjoyed a season for the ages in 1985. Not only did the 21-year-old go 20-6 with a 2.87 ERA, he dominated the St. Louis Cardinals in both of his starts in the World Series—including a complete game shutout in Game 7 that was the best pitched game in KC Royals playoff history until Johnny Cueto two-hit the Mets in Game 2 of the 2015 Series.

Oh, and Bret Saberhagen’s wife Jeanine gave birth to their son Drew during the 1985 World Series.

While Saberhagen never was able to top that 1985 season during his remaining years in Kansas City, he did win another Cy Young Award in 1989 for his outstanding 23-6 campaign with a 2.16 ERA in 262.1 inning pitched.

However, the Kansas City Royals traded Bret Saberhagen after the 1991 season, trying to reload a depleted team. Saberhagen and Bill Pecota went to the New York Mets in exchange for Kevin McReynolds, Keith Miller, and Gregg Jefferies. Saberhagen finished his KC Royals career with a 110-78 record, 3.21 ERA, 128 ERA+, and an outstanding 1.134 WHiP.

After his eight seasons with Kansas City, Bret Saberhagen pitched eight more years for the Mets, Rockies, and Red Sox. He appeared in playoff series with the Rockies and Red Sox, but never again won a post-season game after his heroics in the 1985 World Series.

We also considered some other pitchers for this list.

David Cone was the third Kansas City pitcher besides Zack Greinke and Bret Saberhagen to win a Cy Young while with the Royals, but he only pitched two full seasons, plus a September call-up in 1986.

Steve Busby won some consideration for becoming the first pitcher in major league history to pitch a no-hitter in each of his first two seasons, but his career was cut short at age 25 by a torn rotator cuff. Larry Gura was a horse for five seasons for the late 70’s to early 80’s KC Royals, but today’s value estimators don’t like him much due to his absurdly-low strikeout rate (3.3 K/9).

We REALLY would have liked to include Wade Davis on this list, since arguably enjoyed the best two-year run of any reliever in major-league history. However, we decided that two outstanding years simply wasn’t enough (plus a poor season as a starter in 2013).

Next: Royals Signing Scott Kazmir Would Be Shrewd Move

Other notables include: Tom Gordon, Danny Jackson, and James Shields.