KC Royals: Dayton Moore Reclamation Projects

Ryan Madson: Hit

Ryan Madson may be Dayton Moore’s best version of a ‘reclamation project’. While he struggled down the stretch and in the first two rounds of the playoffs, Ryan Madson was very dominant out the bullpen in 2015. Madson is an interesting story because he hadn’t played a big league game since 2011 prior to the 2015 season.

Ryan Madson was essentially done with baseball after he had been a very effective reliever for the Phillies for nine seasons. His worst year came in 2006 when he dabbled as a starter and pitched to a 5.69 ERA. Soon after been relegated to the bullpen, he became a shutdown reliever helping them to back to back World Series’ appearances and a ring.

Following the 2011 season, Madson suffered an injury that would require Tommy John surgery and missed the 2012 season. He spent the 2012 and 2013 season on the DL before trying out in 2014 to no avail. In 2015, Dayton Moore gave Madson that chance that he had been looking for and he didn’t disappoint.

Not only was Madson a gamble, he was a long shot.

Madson pitched masterfully for the KC Royals posting an ERA of 2.13 and a WHIP of 0.963, both career bests. His strikeout rate declined over his previous three seasons but he still maintained 8.2 Ks/9 and a very strong 4.14 K/BB ratio.

Madson may be remembered by Royals fans as the guy who gave up back to back jacks to Carlos Correa and Colby Rasmus in game four of the ALDS, a game the Royals went on to win, or the guy who let Jose Bautista tie it up in game 6 of the ALCS, a game the Royals also went on to win. But Madson should be remembered as perhaps Dayton Moore’s most successful ‘reclamation project’. Not only was Madson a gamble, he was a long shot.

Next: A Big Righty from out West