Royals Report: 5 Things About Ian Kennedy Slump Buster

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Jun 26, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain (6) doubles against the Houston Astros during the seventh inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /

3) Lorenzo Cain Breaks Out

Center-fielder Lorenzo Cain has broken out of an 0-12 slide in a big way the last two days, rapping five hits in nine at bats, including two doubles.

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Cain’s batting average is back to .288, which is the same mark he enjoyed before his three-game slide, and his season triple slash is a more-than-respectable .288/.334/.417. However, Cain has slid from no. 3 in the All-Star voting among American League outfielders down to no. 6. You can vote for Cain, and the rest of the Kansas City Royals here. Voting ends June 30.

Cain’s rebound has coincided with his move back to his familiar no. 3 spot in the batting order, where he hit most of the 2015 season and the first two months of 2016. Lorenzo Cain is showing that his power boost from 2015 isn’t any accident with eight home runs so far this season. ESPN estimates that he’s on pace to hit 18 dingers in 2016, which would surpass his career high of 16 set in 2015.

The only real sour note Cain’s season is his modest total of six stolen bases, against four caught stealing. Could Lorenzo be losing his speed on the basepaths? He is, after all, now 30 years old.

If Cain is indeed slowing down, it could hurt his range in center. Though his improving bat should help him remain a valuable player, his outstanding 7.2 bWAR season in 2015 might prove to have been his peak.

Next: Cheslor Cuthbert

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