Kansas City Royals trying to buck MLB offensive trends
The Kansas City Royals are once again taking a different approach when it comes to offense, looking to recapture the magic from four years ago.
Back when the Kansas City Royals made consecutive World Series appearances, their approach on offense was simple. The put the ball in play as often as possible, swinging away to make contact and force the defense to make plays. Should those players get on base, the Royals had plenty of speed, looking to force the defense into mistakes. With a shutdown bullpen and excellent defense, the Royals rode that strategy to the postseason, and the 2015 World Series title.
However, the game has changed dramatically in that time. While the high octane reliever was a popular commodity back then, offenses have changed. Players are looking to put the ball in the air with increased frequency, with plenty of attention paid to launch angles. This has led to an increase in strikeouts and home runs, with fewer overall hits and less action on the diamond.
Then, we have Kansas City. They are looking to get back to their calling card, utilizing excellent speed, defense, and contact to win games. Their moves this offseason, bringing in Billy Hamilton and Terrance Gore, will improve their outfield defense. Holdovers Adalberto Mondesi and Whit Merrifield will also help in that aspect, allowing Kansas City to cause havoc on the basepaths. In an era where steals have decreased, it may not be outside the realm of possibility for the Royals to swipe over 200 bases in 2019.
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In some way, MLB has to be hoping that the Royals plan of attack has success as well. There has been continued outcry over the pace of the game, with innings taking far too long. While a home run or a strikeout can be exciting, they limit the action on the diamond. Contact, even if it is just a little grounder to second, can lead to different outcomes.
Baseball, as with every sport, is a copycat league. The Royals have already made their mark on how the game is played these days, with their dominant bullpen from that successful run having been copied by contenders throughout the game. Even teams that are hoping to compete, yet have struggled recently, are building up the bullpen in hopes of shortening the game.
Should the Royals find success with this approach, other teams may look to copy that model. Speed and contact are somewhat rare these days, but those players tend to cost less in free agency. For teams looking to maximize their payroll, this may be an option worth exploring.
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The Kansas City Royals are looking to rely on speed once again in 2019. In some way, MLB may be hoping that they find success in that approach as they look to make the game more exciting.