Kansas City Royals Speed, Defense Key to Success

It’s been quite a run for the Kansas City Royals. Just last week they were down four runs in the 8th inning in a wild card elimination game. By the end of the week, they had won that game and proceeded to sweep the Los Angeles Angels in the ALDS. They’ll match up with the Baltimore Orioles Friday night in the ALCS, who swept the Detroit Tigers.

 Speed and defense has been key for the Royals, who hit just 95 home runs during the regular season, the fewest in the major leagues. Left fielder Alex Gordon clubbed 19 home runs to lead the team, and only two other players, Salvador Perez and Mike Moustakas, reached double digits.

The Royals led the major leagues with 153 stolen bases. Jarrod Dyson, who received just 290 plate appearances, led the team with 36. His steal of third in the 9th inning against the A’s allowed Nori Aoki to tie the game up with a sacrifice fly. Shortstop Alcides Escobar nabbed 31 bags, and center fielder Lorenzo Cain stole 28. September callup Terrance Gore is 3-3 in stolen base attempts as a pinch runner in the playoffs.

The potential impact of the Royals running game might be a little overstated after they’ve run wild in the playoffs. During the regular season they finished with just +1.1 base running runs, which ranked 12th in the major leagues. While the Orioles pitching staff and catchers Nick Hundley and Caleb Joseph will have to pay attention to the Royals running game, the Royals speed has a bigger impact on defense.

Defensive metrics rated the Royals outfield as the best in baseball by a wide margin, and one of the best in recent history. Left fielder Gordon had a fantastic season. He showcases very good range and a very strong and accurate arm. After piling up 54 assists from 2011-13, teams have been less inclined to run on him.

In center field Cain has demonstrated his exceptional range in the playoffs. In a part-time role Dyson has graded out as one of the best defenders in baseball. Aoki is solid in right, and made two very good catches to keep the Royals alive in Game One against the Angels.

Up the middle the Royals have Salvador Perez who gunned down 30 percent of base runners and picked off seven. Escobar handles shortstop with aplomb.  The Royals excellent defense has helped their pitching staff post a 3.51 ERA despite having the 7th lowest strikeout rate during the regular season.

The Royals have combined below-average hitting with speed, great defense, decent starting pitching and a dominant bullpen. It’s an unconventional formula, but it’s got them to the championship series.