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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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Apr 19, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Carlos Beltran (36) hits a sacrifice fly against the Oakland Athletics during the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Carlos Beltran (36) hits a sacrifice fly against the Oakland Athletics during the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Number Three: Carlos Beltran – Rookie Year: 1999

Carlos Beltran may be the closest thing to a hall of famer on this list. He’s still got some play left in him and should at least be considered for a hall of fame vote someday. He’s currently got 396 home runs and a career slash line of .380/.354/.490. He’s an eight time All-Star, a three-time Gold Glove winner, and was Rookie of the Year in 1999.

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During his rookie season with the Royals, he earned the starting center field job out of training camp and started as the lead-off hitter for the KC Royals. It wouldn’t take long for him to slot into a run producing spot in the lineup as his power showed quickly at just 22 years of age.

In fact, his home runs that season matched his age as he bashed 22 long balls. He also his 27 double and stole 27 bases while he slashed .293/.337/.454 accross 663 at-bats in his rookie year.

That season, he beat out players like Freddy Garcia, Tim Hudson, Carlos Lee, and Trot Nixon for Rookie of the Year Honors and the vote wasn’t even close. He posted a bWAR that season of 4.7.

Beltran was later traded away during the 2004 season in a move that saw players like Mike Wood, Mark Teahen, and John Buck get sent to the Royals. While he’s up there in age and didn’t play for the Royals for the majority of his career, he has more games with the Mets, he’s still a fan favorite in Kansas City.

In fact, there has been some recent speculation that he could be looked at to replace designated hitter Kendrys Morales following the 2016 campaign. That’s likely a pipe dream but he does have some experience with dramatic late-inning comeback wins:

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