It’s 2 weeks into the 2024 MLB season and the Kansas City Royals are off to a strong start. The team is heading to New York to open up a weekend series against the Mets tonight. The Royals are flying high after back to back series sweeps of the Chicago White Sox and the Houston Astros. Let’s take a deeper dive into the team to see how they are doing.
Bobby Witt Jr.’s Hot Start
The past 2 seasons had seen Bobby Witt Jr. get off to a little bit of a slow start. That is definitely not the case this season. Bobby is helping the Royals ownership look good for giving him the big contract extension just before the season started. After 13 games this season Bobby is enjoying a .358/.414/.755 slash line. He also has 4 home runs, 8 RBI and 3 stolen bases to go along with that. His offense has helped be a big spark for the Royals. If he keeps it up, he could potentially find himself in the conversation for AL MVP.
The Royals Pitching Has Improved
The Royals made some under the radar solid moves this past offseason. Some of the most important upgrades were done to improve the pitching. So far, those investments look like wise ones. Cole Ragans has picked up where he left off last year despite still not having a win to his credit. He has pitched well enough to help keep the team in games, which is all you can really ask for from a starting pitcher. Brady Singer has looked like the pitcher many people expected him to be last season. Alec Marsh has been solid at the back end of the rotation posting a 3.09 ERA after 2 starts. Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha have added veteran depth that has helped make the starting rotation be one of the best in the league thus far. The starting rotation has recorded a league leading 9 quality starts through 13 games.
Salvy Doing Salvy Things
Salvador Perez is looking like how he normally does every season. The guy can absolutely hit and has been one of the most consistent players the Royals have had year after year. Ever since he had surgery on his injured hand last year he has been just as good as ever. So far this season he is slashing .333/.370/.471 in 51 at bats. He has 2 home runs, 10 RBI and a double to add to that. I would expect a little bit of a drop off at some point this season, but it’s fair to believe that he will once again be one of the top offensive performers for the Royals this season.
Pasquantino Off To A Slow Start, But Heating Up
Vinnie Pasquantino has gotten off to a bit of a slow start this season. That’s not terribly surprising as he has a little extra rust to knock off coming into this season after his season was cut short due to injury last year. Through 45 at bats this season Vinnie is slashing a .222/.308/.333 line with 1 home run, 2 double and 8 RBI. As a whole, that’s not terribly great, but there is a bright side to that. All 3 of his extra base hits have come in his last 20 at bats and he as a 2:2 strikeout to walk ration in that span as well. He heads into the weekend as one of the hottest hitters on the team. In his last 2 games he went 6 for 8, 2 doubles, 1 home run, 8 RBI and 3 runs scored. He will look to stay hot in the Big Apple.
Momentum To Take On The Road
The Royals wrapped up a perfect homestand yesterday going 7-0. That gives the team some much needed momentum to take with them on the road. The Royals play 3 games in New York over the weekend before heading to Chiacgo for a 3 game series at the White Sox next week. They will hope to continue their home success and will see if they can extend their 7 game win streak Friday night. The series in New York opens up with a fun pitching matchup of Michael Wacha (1-0, 2.2r ERA) v Luis Severino (0-1, 3.60 ERA).
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