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Kansas City Royals: Five Most Pleasant Surprises in 2016

By Leigh Oleszczak

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
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 second baseman Whit Merrifield (15) – Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Royals second baseman Whit Merrifield (15) – Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

Most Pleasant Surprises in 2016 – Number 3: Whit Merrifield

When Whit Merrifield got bumped up to the majors, the Royals were in a bind. Moustakas was done for the year, Alex Gordon was going to be out for several weeks, and Jarrod Dyson had injured himself before the season even began.

In other words, Merrifield had a lot of pressure riding on his major league debut. A lot of people were going to expect the former South Carolina Gamecock to step up and show he belonged on this team.

Hell, the reason the Royals were confident in moving on from Omar Infante was that Merrifield was playing so well at second base.

Merrifield went on to earn the nickname “Two-Hit Whit” due to his ability to make plays with guys on base. He ended the season with 29 RBI and slashed .283/.323/.392 as a rookie.

Not only did Merrifield perform at the plate, but he was versatile on the diamond as well. Whit spent time at nearly every infield position (shortstop being the only one he didn’t) and in the outfield as well. His versatility will likely earn him a spot on the major league roster come next season.

Hell, the reason the Royals were confident in moving on from Omar Infante was that Merrifield was playing so well at second base.

While Whit did get sent back to the minors near the middle of the summer, he came back up in September and will likely stay in Kansas City all through next season. He’s a great utility player and the Royals will love having him around.

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