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Kansas City Royals: What Went Right in 2016

By Leigh Oleszczak

Apr 21, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals players Alex Gordon (4), Kendrys Morales (25), Jarrod Dyson (1) and Danny Duffy (41) celebrate after beating the Detroit Tigers at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 21, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals players Alex Gordon (4), Kendrys Morales (25), Jarrod Dyson (1) and Danny Duffy (41) celebrate after beating the Detroit Tigers at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 13, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert (19) scores a run in the second inning against the Atlanta Braves at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Royals third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert (19) – Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

Cuthbert stepped up

Early in the season, hope was lost for a large chunk of Kansas City Royals fans, as Mike Moustakas was named out for the year after injuring himself going for a foul ball.

Cuthbert also did well at the plate, smashing 12 home runs and ending his 2016 campaign with a slash line of .274/.318/.413.

The news was devastating to all Royals fans because Moose was finally beginning to come into his own.

There also wasn’t a backup behind him that could man third base every day. Or so we thought…

Cheslor Cuthbert stepped up and played well in Moose’s absence. He started 123 games at third base (appeared in 128 total) and had a .928 fielding percentage at the position.

Cuthbert also did well at the plate, smashing 12 home runs and ending his 2016 campaign with a slash line of .274/.318/.413. He dropped off a bit near the end of the season, but make no mistake… Cuthbert is the type of guy who could start every day for the Royals.

Clearly the Royals think so too, as they’re having the 23-year old play second base at Instructional League during the offseason. This would mean Moose could return to third base when he’s healthy and good to go, and Cuthbert could still remain in the lineup.

It was nice to see a young farm system guy step up for the Royals and help them remain relevant throughout the season. Now that Cuthbert had this experience, he should be even better in 2017.

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