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Royals Report: 5 Things About Bomb-Fest In Chicago

By John Viril

Jun 7, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Kansas City Royals outfielder Lorenzo Cain (6) reacts to an inside pitch during the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles won 9-1. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 7, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Kansas City Royals outfielder Lorenzo Cain (6) reacts to an inside pitch during the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles won 9-1. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 27, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Whit Merrifield (15) drives in 2 runs with a single against the Chicago White Sox in the seventh inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
May 27, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Whit Merrifield (15) drives in 2 runs with a single against the Chicago White Sox in the seventh inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /

3) Whit Merrifield Gets On Base In 18 Straight

Rookie Whit Merrifield continues to produce for the Kansas City Royals, one of the few that has defied the team’s hitting cold streak. He extended his club record to 18 straight starts reaching safely to begin his KC Royals career.

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On Friday, Merrifield went 2-5 with one double and one run scored. Not only has he become a regular over the last three weeks, he’s moved to the leadoff spot. Let’s hope Yost keeps him there now that the change coincided with the Royals putting up more than one run fir the first time in a week.

While I would like to see Merrifield draw more walks, he IS forcing hurlers to work deep into counts and seeing lots of pitches. As a rookie, pitchers are going to make him show that he can hurt them before they try to shave the corners in two or three ball counts.

What’s impressive about Merrifield is that he stroked at least one hit in 17 out of his 18 starts. That consistency will earn him respect. If Merrifield keeps getting on base, pitchers will attempt to make him swing at bad pitches and he’ll draw those free passes.

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