Kansas City Royals: Lorenzo Cain In Spotlight With Keith Olberman

By Joel Wagler | Jun 10, 2015

With the Kansas City Royals back in first place where they belong, and the Royals dominating the All-Star vote, Lorenzo Cain is one of the players in the national spotlight.

Lorenzo Cain, center fielder for the Kansas City Royals, is currently at the top of American League outfielders in votes for the 2015 MLB All-Star Game. He is one of seven Royals who would start the exhibition if voting ended today, according to MLB.com.

With success comes attention. National talking head Keith Olberman grabbed Cain before the Tuesday night game against the Minnesota Twins for an interview.

Cain and Oberman discussed losing the World Series, the great fans of Kansas City, and Royals manager Ned Yost.

Cain leads all AL outfielders in voting, and is second overall to his teammate Salvador Perez. This isn’t just a case of Royals fans stuffing the ballot box. Cain is second among all American League outfields in Wins Above Replacement at 2.9, fourth among position players, and seventh overall.

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Cain’s defensive prowess is well know locally, but his 1.4 Defensive WAR is second in the AL. According to Fangraphs, his Ultimate Zone Rating this season is 7.1, second in the league. Alex Gordon, is ranked fourth in UZR at 6.1.

The KC Royals center fielder also has 11 Defensive Runs saved, which leads the AL, in case you need more proof of his defensive abilities.

In this new post-steroid era, more attention and appreciation is being given to defense. Lorenzo Cain, as well as several of his teammates, are being noticed for their defense even more than their offense. Of course, winning helps the Royals get noticed, too.

The other KC Royals who would be starters in the 2015 MLB All-Star Game if voting ended today are Gordon, Perez, Eric Hosmer, Alcides Escobar, Mike Moustakas, and Kendrys Morales. Omar Infante is second among second basemen, and Alex Rios is fourth among outfielders.

Whether or not Omar Infante deserves to be a starter is a hot topic. Yesterday, KC Kingdom editors Leigh Olescczak and Mike Norris offered both sides of the argument.

Oleszczak argued the point that Infante and Rios just don’t belong and that fans should cease stuffing the ballot box for them.

Norris took up the stance that if fans want to see Infante in the All-Game, and vote him in, that makes him deserving.

No one seems to be arguing about whether Lorenzo Cain is deserving or not. While none of his offensive stats are overwhelming – his slash is okay, not great, at .281/.335/.402/.737 – they are good enough, combined with his spectacular defense, to garner a starting nod.

With the Kansas City Royals back in first place in the American League, and fans across the nation showing their support for the players in the All-Star voting, this is one of the most exciting times ever for Royals fans. Take it from someone old enough to remember the glory years.

Next: 10 Things All Royals Fans Should Know

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