Royals Report: 4 Things About Deflating Loss To Seattle

By John Viril | Jul 11, 2016

Jul 10, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Seattle Mariners first basemen Adam Lind (26) celebrates with third basemen Kyle Seager (15) after beating the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jul 9, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Whit Merrifield (15), center fielder Paulo Orlando (16), and right fielder Brett Eibner (12) celebrate in the outfield after the win over the Seattle Mariners at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 9, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Whit Merrifield (15), center fielder Paulo Orlando (16), and right fielder Brett Eibner (12) celebrate in the outfield after the win over the Seattle Mariners at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

2) The Three Rookies In The Lineup Enjoyed A Good Day

Brett Eibner, Cheslor Cuthbert, and Whit Merrifield all enjoyed solid days on Sunday. All three were in the lineup, and all three contributed. Merrifield went 1 for 4 with a walk and run scored in the leadoff spot and Cheslor Cuthbert chimed in with a 1 for 3 and an RBI double.

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Brett Eibner did the real damage, going 3 for 4 with a solo shot off Seattle starter Mike Montgomery in the seventh inning that chased the ex-Royals top prospect from the game.

No analyst expected much of a contribution from the Kansas City Royals farm system before the season began. Today, Merrifield, Cuthbert, and Eibner are making those pre-season evaluations look silly. The three have combined to contribute 1.9 bWAR (Wins Above Replacement) a little more than half-way through the 2016 season.

What’s impressed me about this trio is how polished they look. Clearly, they piled up a lot of minor-league game experience due to the big club being stocked with enough talent to win the last two American League pennants.

Whit Merrifield has the most certain major-league future, since his ability to play plus defense at seven positions will keep him on rosters for years to come. Yet, it is 23-year-old Cheslor Cuthbert who has the most upside. The former seven-figure international signing from Nicaragua is hitting a solid .282/.310/.442 with 8 home runs and 28 RBIs in 206 at bats. He’s also doing a fine job defensively at third base by the eye test, though metrics peg him as nothing more than league average.

Eibner has showed impressive pop, with 6 doubles and 3 home runs in only 52 at bats. Nine of his 17 hits have gone for extra bases. Eibner can also run the bases, though he has yet to swipe a bag.

The KC Royals playoff hopes would be a pipe dream without them.

Next: Alex Gordon

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