Kansas City Royals: 2018 season nearing the end

DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 20: Jorge Bonifacio #38 of the Kansas City Royals celebrates with Hunter Dozier #17 of the Kansas City Royals after hitting a three-run home run against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Comerica Park on September 20, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 20: Jorge Bonifacio #38 of the Kansas City Royals celebrates with Hunter Dozier #17 of the Kansas City Royals after hitting a three-run home run against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Comerica Park on September 20, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /
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The Kansas City Royals have less than a week remaining in the 2018 season and while it hasn’t gone well, there are still things that should make fans optimistic for the future.

The Kansas City Royals have just six games remaining in the 2018 season. While it feels as if this season has drug on forever, did fans really expect much from this team this year? We all knew going into 2018 that the Royals would be rebuilding and if they didn’t get off to a hot start, players would start getting traded as early as June.

That quickly became the case, as Jon Jay was the first Royal to be traded, followed shortly by Mike Moustakas, Lucas Duda, and even Terrance Gore. It was a strange season for Royals fans, but it’s not as if we weren’t used to seeing the team struggle.

The Royals lost 100 games this year, something they did for three straight years in the mid 2000s. This year it didn’t really sting as much to be honest. Perhaps that’s because this organization is only three years removed from a World Series title. Winning heals all, as some might say.

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The main goal this year was for the younger prospects to develop and we’ve been able to witness that. Royals fans got to watch Brad Keller, the Rule-5 Draft pick, pitch to the tune of a 3.17 ERA in 19 starts and 40 games total.

Adalberto Mondesi was another highlight, batting .285 with 11 home runs. Speaking of 11 home runs, rookie Ryan O’Hearn posted the same number and might have thrown his hat into the ring of future players that could help this team compete. That’s not something fans would have predicted at the beginning of the year.

When the Royals traded Moustakas to the Milwaukee Brewers, they acquired Jorge Lopez and Brett Phillips, both of whom could really help this team moving forward. Lopez might have had an ERA over six, but the potential shone through when he flirted with a perfect game a few weeks ago.

As for Phillips, he has struggled offensively, but some of his defensive plays in the outfield were insane. This kid could end up being a really special player for the Royals organization.

So, yes, while the 2018 season seemed like it went on forever and the 100+ losses weren’t fun, just know the end game is for this team to be competing for a World Series again in the next four to five years. It takes time to build something special and Royals fans should know that more than anyone.

With just six games remaining, the Kansas City Royals have nothing to play for, but they have a chance to show the fans they’ll be worth watching in the next few years. That seems pretty important.