The Kansas City Royals are on the verge of something that seemed impossible at the beginning of the year: securing a postseason spot in 2024.
Just last season, the Royals finished with a dismal 56-106 record, landing them in last place in the AL Central and second-worst overall in Major League Baseball.
Now, as the 2024 regular season winds down, Kansas City boasts an 82-70 record, sitting second in the division and holding the second AL Wild Card spot. They’re just seven games away from clinching their first playoff appearance since their 2015 World Series triumph.
To bolster their roster late in the season, the Royals made some strategic moves on August 31, acquiring three veteran players: Tommy Pham, Yuli Gurriel, and Robbie Grossman. While some have performed better than others, all three have added vital depth and could prove pivotal for Kansas City in the postseason.
Tommy Pham Is Shoring Up the Outfield
The Royals’ outfield hasn’t been particularly impressive offensively this season. Out of six outfielders with at least 200 plate appearances, only Hunter Renfroe has come close to a league-average wRC+, currently sitting at 94, according to FanGraphs.
In terms of fWAR, only Kyle Isbel and Garrett Hampson have positive ratings, mainly due to their defense. Isbel has a 1.8 fWAR with a -2.7 offensive rating and a 6.6 defensive rating. Hampson, on the other hand, has a 0.4 fWAR with a -8.9 offensive rating but a 5.8 defensive rating.
| Name | PA | AVG | OBP | SLG | wRC+ | fWAR |
| K. Isbel | 401 | .237 | .292 | .383 | 85 | 1.8 |
| G. Hampson | 215 | .230 | .272 | .305 | 58 | 0.4 |
| H. Renfroe | 401 | .235 | .307 | .392 | 94 | -0.1 |
| MJ Melendez | 430 | .208 | .270 | .408 | 84 | -0.1 |
| N. Velázquez | 230 | .200 | .274 | .366 | 76 | -0.5 |
| A. Frazier | 280 | .204 | .284 | .300 | 65 | -0.6 |
Before September 18, FanGraphs data indicated that besides Tommy Pham and Robbie Grossman, the Royals’ outfield options were limited. So, it made sense when the Royals claimed Pham off waivers on August 31 for the final stretch of the season.
While Pham hasn’t been extraordinary, he has been reliable, which is more than can be said for the team’s other outfielders. Despite a disappointing stint with the Cardinals after being traded from the White Sox, Pham seems to be getting back to form. In 15 games with Kansas City, he has slashed .258/.290/.409 with two home runs, seven RBIs, and a 98 wRC+.
Tommy Pham’s 1st homer as a Royal is a 3-run bomb for the lead! 💣💣💣 pic.twitter.com/55LXF65Hnj
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) September 5, 2024
Pham has primarily served as the Royals’ leadoff hitter and starting left fielder. With four previous postseason appearances, including a standout performance in last year’s World Series with Arizona, Pham brings much-needed playoff experience to the Royals. His role will likely be to maintain consistency and set the stage for Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez at the top of the lineup.
Yuli Gurriel Has Been a Godsend at First
The Royals’ lineup suffered a major blow when Vinnie Pasquantino, one of their key offensive players, sustained a thumb injury on August 30, sidelining him for six to eight weeks.
Though Salvador Perez could step in at first base and Freddy Fermin could cover catching duties, the Royals opted for another solution. They traded for Gurriel the day after Pasquantino went on the IL, filling the “Vinnie-sized hole.”
Gurriel had been performing well in Triple-A Gwinnett, where he posted a .292/.378/.485 slash line with 12 home runs, 48 RBIs, and a 126 wRC+ over 75 games.
The new guy makes a good first impression. Yuli Gurriel puts the #Royals on the board! pic.twitter.com/tSczxt8IUT
— Bally Sports Kansas City (@BallySportsKC) September 1, 2024
Since rejoining the big leagues, Gurriel has impressed in his first nine games with Kansas City, hitting .348 with an .849 OPS and a 134 wRC+. His postseason experience, including two World Series titles and four AL Pennants with the Astros from 2017 to 2022, adds further value.
With Perez, Fermin, and Gurriel rotating between first base and catcher, the Royals appear well-covered during Pasquantino’s absence. Even after Pasquantino returns, Gurriel’s strong performance and playoff experience make him a likely candidate for a DH or bench role if Kansas City makes a deep postseason run.
Robbie Grossman Offers Plenty of Experience off the Bench
Robbie Grossman is the least notable of the Royals’ August 31 roster moves. Lately, he’s been more of a bench player in Kansas City and hasn’t produced strong numbers since joining the team. In 21 plate appearances over 10 games, he’s batting just .176 with a 61 wRC+.
However, the Royals claimed him off waivers from Texas, where he posted a .238 average, a .336 OBP, and a 102 wRC+ over 122 plate appearances. Given the Royals’ struggles in the outfield this season, Grossman’s .223 average and 90 wRC+ across his three teams in 2024 (White Sox, Rangers, Royals) make him one of their better options.
Additionally, like Pham and Gurriel, Grossman brings valuable postseason experience, having played on five playoff teams, including the Rangers’ World Series roster last year. Despite a slow start in Kansas City, his switch-hitting ability and playoff background give him a solid chance to make the postseason roster.
What’s Next for the Royals and Their Postseason Plans?
The Royals still have work ahead to not only secure a postseason berth but also to lock down home-field advantage in an AL Wild Card series.
Currently, they hold a 1.5-game lead over the Minnesota Twins for the second AL Wild Card spot, meaning if the season ended today, they would face their division rivals at Kauffman Stadium, where they boast an impressive 45-32 record in 2024.
Their task seems more manageable now with three veteran players strengthening the Royals’ lineup in the final stretch of the season.
As manager Matt Quatraro and GM J.J. Picollo prepare the postseason roster, they have more seasoned playoff experience to draw from, which could be a crucial advantage for Kansas City in October.
Be the first to comment