Kansas City Royals: A Look Back at Preseason Predictions

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Kansas City Royals pitcher Wade Davis (17) Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Bullpen (Preseason): Aaron Crow, Tim Collins, Wade Davis, Kelvin Herrera, Louis Coleman, Francisley Bueno, Danny Duffy, and Greg Holland
Bullpen (Postseason): Crow, Collins, Davis, Herrera, Holland, Jason Frasor and Brandon Finnegan

Preseason Grade: A-

This bullpen is something else. “The Flying Dutchman” Greg Holland was up to his typical stuff, finishing 3rd in saves in the MLB in saves for the second year in a row.

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As good as Holland was, Davis might have been even better.

Davis put up a 1.00 ERA in 71 games, which was the best in baseball for those that pitched more than 60 innings.

Add in Herrera, Kansas City’s 7th inning specialist who didn’t allow a home run in the entire regular season, and the Royals had the ability to shorten games to 6 innings.

Those three alone would probably give this bullpen a grade somewhere in the A range, but they got one more weapon that proved to be vital to their success: Brandon Finnegan. After pitching in the College World Series in June, the rookie phenom was striking out the likes of Derek Jeter by September.

If it wasn’t for Finnegan’s prolonged relief appearance in the Wild Card game, the Royals probably wouldn’t have even won that game, let alone the pennant.

And the best news? All of the big pieces will be back next year for another run at the pennant.

Postseason Grade: A+

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