3 Royals players receive prestigious honors for their efforts in 2026 

Just because the Kansas City Royals struggled through a tumultuous 2026 season doesn't mean that there still aren't plenty of positives to take away from the year. From multiple Silver Slugger finalists to a player still in the running for MVP in the American League, there were plenty of individual performances deserving of praise this season. 

On November 9, the Royals announced the winners of its annual team awards, voted on by members of the Kansas City Baseball Writers Association of America. The team awarded Bobby Witt Jr., Michael Wacha, and Salvador Perez with its three top honors of the season. While their performances in 2026 varied from spectacular to downright disappointing, their awards all carry the same weight. 

With the elite level that Witt Jr. has been consistently playing at for years, his name being mentioned should not come as a surprise. As the winner of the 2026 Les Milgram Player of the Year Award, it marks the fifth straight season Witt Jr. has taken it home since entering the league in 2022. Even in what was considered a down year for the Royals superstar, his 7.0 fWAR this past season proves just how good he was all year.  

With Witt Jr. collecting yet another award, he's already well on his way to potentially becoming the greatest player in franchise history. For Wacha and Perez, their honors could best reflect their longevity in the game. 

Salvador Perez was recognized for his career with the Royals, not his play in 2026 

Wacha winning the 2026 Bruce Rice Pitcher of the Year Award should also not come as a surprise to anyone. The 35-year-old pitcher enjoyed perhaps the best season in his 14-year MLB career. Wacha sported a 3.32 ERA and a 1.106 WHIP in a career-high 200.2 innings pitched in 2026. All three were top marks among all Royals' starters this season. Despite being rumored to be on the move at the trade deadline, the Royals held onto Wacha with the hopes that he'll continue his strong effort in 2027. 

Since joining the Royals in 2024, Wacha has accumulated 9.6 fWAR. That is by far his greatest three-year stretch compared to any other point in his career. He's accomplished this by remaining the most consistently effective pitcher on the Royals' staff. His 21 quality starts in 2026 were the third-most among all pitchers in baseball, even outpacing likely AL Cy Young winner Cam Schlittler. Not too shabby at all. 

While Witt Jr. and Wacha each boasted truly impressive seasons, Perez looked as if he took another massive step into his regression. But that didn't stop the BBWAA writers from awarding Perez with the 2026 Joe Burke Special Achievement Award, noting his long and successful career. Perez broke the Royals' all-time home run record with his 318th career home run on July 25 against the Detroit Tigers. 

Despite his aforementioned regression this season, Perez still remains a decent home run threat at the plate as he enters his likely final season next year. In 2026, the 36-year-old was able to smack 21 long balls, the third-most on the Royals. Perez is no longer the big bat in the team's lineup, but that doesn't mean that he won't be able to produce in 2027. With a young core of exciting players around him, Perez will look to end his career with one final postseason run. 

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