Backup Outfielder—Lorenzo Cain
(with Royals from 2011-present)
18.1 fWAR, 20.4 bWAR
.286/.336/.416, 558 G, 2249 PA, 104 OPS+ (with Royals)
Lorenzo Cain gives the Royals all-time 25-man roster yet another good-fielding outfielder, along with Willie Wilson, Amos Otis, Carlos Beltran, and Alex Gordon. Cain was known more for his glove early in his career but his bat has come around and become an asset over the last couple years.
The Royals acquired Cain, Alcides Escobar, Jeremy Jeffress, and Jake Odorizzi for Zack Greinke and Yunieski Betancourt prior to the 2011 season. At the time, Cain had played just 43 games in the major leagues. He spent most of the 2011 season in the minor leagues. In 2012, he appeared in 61 games for the Royals. His defense was good but he was a slightly below average hitter.
In 2013, Cain didn’t hit a lick (.251/.310/.348). He appeared destined to be a part time player because his bat wouldn’t support a full time position. He came around in 2014, though, and got 500 plate appearances in a season for the first time as the Royals made the playoffs. He was 8 for 15 with five runs scored and earned the ALCS MVP Award against the Baltimore Orioles. He followed that up with a good World Series against the Giants, collecting eight hits in 26 at bats.
Cain had the best year of his career (so far) in 2015. He made the all-star team for the first time and set career highs in every major hitting category. His much improved offense and still excellent defense earned him enough votes to finish third in the race for the AL MVP Award (behind only Josh Donaldson and Mike Trout). To top it off, the Royals won the World Series for the first time since “We Are the World” was a top hit back in 1985.
After his best season in 2015, Cain struggled with injuries and poor production last season. He got off to a solid start, and was sitting at .295/.348/.456 at the end of May. Unfortunately, he strained a hamstring in June and it cost him a month of the season. He came back at the end of July and hit .278/.336/.389 over the next month. On August 30, Cain hurt his wrist. After nine days off, Cain played one last game on September 9 but then was shut down for the year. He’s under contract with the Royals for one more year, with free agency looming at the end of the 2017 season.