Kansas City Royals: Five Worst Royals All-Star Selections
By Mark Kanter
Kurt Stillwell of the Kansas City Royals – Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule /Allsport
Kurt Stillwell is an interesting case in 1988 because he wasn’t “required” to be there. Both George Brett and Mark Gubicza were both chosen for the Kansas City Royals, so this wasn’t a desperation pick.
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Stillwell was the second overall pick in the 1983 (and a Scott Boras client!) and played two seasons before joining the Royals in 1988. He was only 23 at the time, so perhaps it was that “young prospect potential” that propelled him to be chosen.
He did have a decent first half of the season, hitting .260 with seven home runs, but this was nothing All-Star worthy when Cal Ripken, Ozzie Guillen, and Alan Trammel were all already on the squad. Things really cooled off after that, as he hit only .231 with three home runs in the second half, finishing the year with a .251/.322/.399 slash line. In his career he would never again hit 10 home runs, with his peak batting average reaching .265 in 1992.
Without speed or sensational defense, it doesn’t make much sense as to why he’d get selected, especially with Brett and Gubicza already representing the team. Unsurprisingly, he didn’t even get an at bat in the game.
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