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KC Royals: Kendrys Morales Steady Resurgence

By Alec Tilson

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When the KC Royals signed designated hitter Kendrys Morales to a two-year, $17 million contract last offseason, they probably didn’t expect a full return on investment within the first nine months.

But that’s exactly what Morales has been for the 2015 Kansas City Royals.

He’s been a rock in the Royals’ lineup since Opening Day – he leads the team with 128 games played. Through his first 468 at-bats for the Royals, Morales is hitting .286/.353/.462.

Last night, he picked up his RBI number 90. He’s on pace to reach 113 RBI in 162 games, which would put him up there with some of the greatest RBI seasons in franchise history. Only five Royals players have ever recorded more than 113 RBI in a regular season, Jermaine Dye having done it twice.

In fact, batting with two outs this season, Morales is hitting .339/.414/.569. That’s one tough out for opposing pitchers.

The last Royals player to reach 100 RBI was Billy Butler in 2012 when he knocked in 107.

Obviously there’s no need to worry about the Royals’ all-time regular season RBI record. Mike Sweeney‘s 144 RBI in 2000 isn’t getting challenged anytime this season.

Four MLB players have more RBI this season than Morales: Josh Donaldson, Paul Goldschmidt, Chris Davis, Nolan Arenado. Morales has struck out 80 times, which is at least 27 fewer times than each of the four ahead of him in RBI (minus Arenado, who’s struck out 81 times.)

Clutch RBI? Morales leads the MLB with 47 two-out RBI. (Source: MLB.com)

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Morales is also tied for third in all of baseball with 35 doubles.

Clutch doubles? Morales leads all of baseball with 17 two-out doubles.

In fact, batting with two outs this season, Morales is hitting .339/.414/.569. That’s one tough out for opposing pitchers.

Morales is a free swinger, no doubt. But he’s not up there hacking. He puts the ball in play, he uses the entire field and he’s a clutch situational hitter.

Here’s his spray chart for this season, via FanGraphs.com, exactly what you hope for from a switch-hitter:

Source:

His health will always be a gamble. He’s 32 years old and he’s had injuries before, but he’s not exactly injury-prone. If you take away the injury he sustained celebrating a walk-off hit in 2010, he’s doesn’t miss many games at all.

Morales is a professional hitter who found a spot in a dynamic lineup. He’s taking full advantage of the Royals faith in him, and it’s resulting in the best season for any designated hitter in the MLB.

Next: Breaking Down The Royals Payroll For 2016

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