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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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Jul 7, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Danny Duffy (41) waves to the fans as he walks to the dugout after being relieved in the seventh inning against the Seattle Mariners at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Danny Duffy (41) – Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

It was a disappointing season for the KC Royals, but these guys surprised us all, and in a good way.

All six of these guys brought something to the table in 2016. Drew Butera offered relief for Salvador Perez, Cheslor Cuthbert was a great replacement for Mike Moustakas, and Danny Duffy became the best pitcher on the team by far.

Matt Strahm was one of the best guys out of the bullpen, Whit Merrifield was impressive as a 27-year old rookie, and Paulo Orlando showed that just because he had been in the minors for ten years didn’t mean he wasn’t capable of helping out at the dish.

Obviously this wasn’t the Kansas City Royals’ year, but injuries are to fault for that. These guys made the Royals ending the year at .500 possible. Without them, this team would have been done and out early in the season and we wouldn’t have made that late season Wild Card run in the late summer months.

Next: Five Reasons the Royals Missed the Postseason

The best hope is that if these guys return to Kansas City for 2017, that they pick right up where they left off. The Royals sure could use that help for what could be one last shot at greatness.

Who surprised you the most on the Kansas City Royals’ squad this year?

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