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KC Royals: Top Ten Rookie Seasons All-Time

By Scott Dillon

KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 23: Mark Teahen of the Kansas City Royals bats during the game against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on Sunday, August 23, 2009. The Twins defeated the Royals 10-3. (Photo by John Williamson/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 23: Mark Teahen of the Kansas City Royals bats during the game against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on Sunday, August 23, 2009. The Twins defeated the Royals 10-3. (Photo by John Williamson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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SURPRISE, AZ – FEBRUARY 26: Kevin Appier of the Kansas City Royals poses for a portrait during Spring Training Photo Day at Surprise Stadium on February 26, 2005 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
SURPRISE, AZ – FEBRUARY 26: Kevin Appier of the Kansas City Royals poses for a portrait during Spring Training Photo Day at Surprise Stadium on February 26, 2005 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) /

Number Two: Kevin Appier – Rookie Year: 1990

Kevin Appier had a dominant rookie season and by far the best rookie campaign of any Royals’ rookie. Even with the fourth best ERA in the league that season, 2.76, he still finished third in the Rookie of the Year voting.

He lost handily to Sandy Alomar who posted a slash line of .290/.326/.418 across 445 at-bats. He also posted nine home runs and stole a total of four bases on the season.

Meanwhile, Appier was dominate for the KC Royals. He appeared in 32 games, 24 of which he was the starter. He three three complete game shutouts that season and posted a record of 12-8.

In other words, Appier got hosed on the Rookie of the Year voting. To be honest, if anyone should have felt slighted it was Kevin Maas of the Yankees. He hit 21 home runs that season in only 254 at-bats.

That season, he flirted with a no-hitter in a July game against the Detroit Tigers. He gave up one hit and four walks that game with the lone hit coming off of Lou Whitaker. He was the first batter to step into the box for the Tigers that day.

He is one of the winning-est pitchers in Royals’ history and while he left for a time, he finished his career with the Royals in 2004. He’s a member of the Royals’ hall of fame and for good reason.

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