KC Royals: Five most disappointing players so far in 2017
With the All-Star Game break officially underway, the KC Royals are sitting at 44-43 on the year. It’s a tremendous record considering just how bad this team was in the first month of the season. Who have been the biggest disappointments?
The Kansas City Royals began the season getting swept by the Twins and at one point, sat ten games under .500. That’s why despite getting swept by the Dodgers to lead up to the All-Star break, the Royals are still on good pace to make it into the postseason.
It hasn’t come easy though. There have been a fair share of disappointments on this Royals roster and it’s time to look at the five biggest disappointments so far.
These will be both position players and pitchers that are mentioned and not many of them should surprise you in the least bit.
Let’s take a look at the biggest busts so far this season, starting with an honorable mention.
MOST DISAPPOINTING ROYALS SO FAR – HONORABLE MENTION: PAULO ORLANDO
This one might not be all that fair, but I’m including him regardless. Paulo Orlando had an electric 2016 season that saw him post a final slash line of .302/.329/.405 in 457 at bats. Orlando was one of the most productive players for the Royals in 2016 and that production transitioning to 2017 was vital.
Instead, Orlando saw limited playing time and when he was on the diamond, didn’t make much of an impact at all. He had 47 at bats and slashed a mere .149/.184/.149 during that time. Not exactly what KC Royals fans had in mind after an incredible 2016 campaign.
Orlando is 31 years old and has been battling injuries since being demoted to the minor leagues at the end of April. While he was a crucial piece to the Royals offense last season, 2017 has shown us that Paulo Orlando’s better days might very well be behind him.
The reason it might be unfair to include him on here is because he hasn’t played with the Royals in over two months now. I still felt that he was one of the more disappointing guys for the KC Royals so far this season though because the team was counting on him to produce and he’s failed to do so.