KC Royals: How Eric Hosmer Can Become A Superstar

By John Viril | Jan 28, 2016

Nov 1, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer (35) reacts after scoring the tying run against the New York Mets in the 9th inning in game five of the World Series at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 1, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer hits a single against the New York Mets in the 11th inning in game five of the World Series at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 1, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer hits a single against the New York Mets in the 11th inning in game five of the World Series at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Post-Season Heroics Are A Habit For Hosmer

A big year will cause pundits to dig into Hosmer’s game. They’ll find that his mad dash home is in no way his only big play with the pressure on.

Instead, Eric Hosmer has made a habit of succeeding in the clutch during the post-season. He’s set a KC Royals record with 29 post-season RBI’s in 31 playoff games (breaking the club record of an obscure guy named George Brett). Hosmer’s two-run home run sealed the team’s four-run rally to defeat the Astros in Game 4 of the ALDS. His two-run shot in Game 2 of the 2014 ALDS beat the Angels in extra innings.

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Overall, Hosmer has hit .342 with runners on base in the playoffs (12 for 35).

Hosmer’s history of playoff heroics goes back to the minor leagues. He hit six home runs during the 2010 Texas League playoffs, including a two-run shot to win Game 3 of the championship series against the Midland Rockhounds. NW Arkansas had been losing 1-0 before Hosmer’s eighth-inning dinger.

All of the above is why agent Scott Boras will fight any move by the KC Royals to sign Eric Hosmer to a contract extension. A big 2016 season from Hoz will push his market value into the nine-figure stratosphere. Meanwhile, Hosmer doesn’t need to trade contract years for security. Hosmer has made $18 million during his professional career, if you include the guaranteed money for 2016. He also earned a $6 million signing bonus as the third overall pick in 2008.

With $24 million in total earnings, Hosmer shouldn’t be hurting for groceries for the rest of his life.

Thus, Hosmer can afford to play out the next two seasons and hope for that breakthrough that will put him among the game’s elite.

Next: Avoiding The Even-Year Slide

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