Kansas City Royals: Players of the Year for 2017 Season

ROYALS PLAYER OF THE YEAR: NUMBER 5 – JAKOB JUNIS

• Innings Pitched: 98.1 (20 games/16 starts)
• Record: 9-3
• 4.30 ERA
• 1.281 WHIP
• Strikeouts: 80

While his stats aren’t the most impressive, Jake Junis had a great year for the Royals in what was his rookie campaign for the big league club. Junis first saw action out of the bullpen in April and later became a full-time starter in the rotation when injuries forced him into that role.

Injuries might have pushed Junis into the starting rotation, but his performance kept him there.

Injuries might have pushed Junis into the starting rotation, but his performance kept him there. While guys like Eric Skoglund and Luke Farrell weren’t staples in the rotation, Junis was, and he should be a shoe-in to include in next year’s rotation.

The spot is there for Junis next year too, as this rotation should only be losing Jason Vargas to free agency. Hopefully this kid has a great second year in the majors because the Royals would have been in an even worse spot without him in the rotation this year.