Kansas City Royals: Five Most Pleasant Surprises in 2016

Sep 28, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) pours the water cooler on right fielder Paulo Orlando (16) after the game against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium. Kansas City won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /

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Kansas City Royals pitcher Matt Strahm (64) – Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /

Most Pleasant Surprises in 2016 – Number 5: Matt Strahm

At the beginning of the 2016 season, Royals fans were so used to being spoiled when it came to their bullpen. With the likes of H-D-H in 2014 and 2015, and Joakim Soria coming to town in 2016, it appeared that the bullpen would be even better than ever.

As time went on though, injuries occurred. Wade Davis and Luke Hochevar both hit the disabled list and the bullpen needed a new hero. That hero was Matt Strahm, who joined the team in July.

The best news with Strahm is that he can be plugged into either the bullpen or the rotation next season.

Strahm went on to have himself a decent few months in the Royals bullpen. He threw 22 innings in 21 games, but recorded a 1.23 ERA and a 2-2 record. He struck out 30 batters during that time and only gave up three earned runs.

The best news with Strahm is that he can be plugged into either the bullpen or the rotation next season. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if the Royals kept him in the pen, but at the same time, that fifth starter spot is likely going to be open, and Strahm looked good in 2016.

The thing to keep an eye on with Matt Strahm is his previous Tommy John surgery. That was why the team limited him out of the pen, as they didn’t want him to re-injure himself.

All in all, the future for Matt Strahm appears to be bright though. I had no idea who the kid was until he was called up, but boy am I glad he’s on our team!

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