KC Royals: Five Most Surprising Players So Far This Season

Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) talks to starting pitcher Ian Kennedy (31) - Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) talks to starting pitcher Ian Kennedy (31) - Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kansas City Royals pitcher Ian Kennedy (31) – Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Royals pitcher Ian Kennedy (31) – Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /

Biggest Royals Surprises So Far This Season – Number 2: Ian Kennedy

The fourth (and final) pitcher on this list is Ian Kennedy, whom currently has the second largest contract in KC Royals history.

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That contract put a lot of pressure on Kennedy right off the bat. Fans expect greatness now from this Royals team, and signing a guy who gave up 31 home runs with the Padres last season for the amount of money they did seemed crazy.

Kennedy has not disappointed though.

He has a 4-3 record with a 3.24 ERA through eight starts. He’s given up 18 runs, seven home runs,  walked 17 batters, and struck out 50 batters. Kennedy might not be perfect, but he’s probably the best pitcher in the Royals’ rotation right now, and I don’t think many would have predicted that before the season.

If Ian Kennedy can continue to eat innings (he’s pitched 50 innings so far, the second most out of any Royals starter) and only allow a few runs in each game, fans will be forever grateful for Dayton Moore for shelling out the money.

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