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KC Royals: Three surprising players through first two months of 2019

By Leigh Oleszczak

KANSAS CITY, MO - MAY 25: Kansas City Royals mascot is seen prior to game one of a doubleheader against the New York Yankees at Kauffman Stadium on May 25, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Yankees won 7-3. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - MAY 25: Kansas City Royals mascot is seen prior to game one of a doubleheader against the New York Yankees at Kauffman Stadium on May 25, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Yankees won 7-3. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Hunter Dozier #17 of the Kansas City Royals (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
Hunter Dozier #17 of the Kansas City Royals (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /

THREE SURPRISING ROYALS SO FAR – NUMBER 1: HUNTER DOZIER

I can say with certainty that I had NO IDEA Hunter Dozier would at one point be in the running for American League MVP. While he probably won’t win that honor (he’s cooled off since then), him even being in that discussion would have been unfathomable a year ago.

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    • Dozier was the Royals’ first round pick in the 2013 MLB Draft and disappointed up until this season.

    He saw limited playing time in the 2016 season, missed all of 2017 due to injury, and struggled throughout 2018. After batting .229 in 362 at bats in 2018, fans hadn’t necessarily given up on Dozier, but he wasn’t really grouped in with the future talent that could be with this organization during the next wave of contention.

    Well, Dozier has solidified his spot in the lineup, and with the future of the Royals. After 47 games, Dozier is slashing .299/.391/.581 with ten home runs and 30 RBI.

    He’s spent most of the season at his preferred position of third base, but when Kelvin Gutierrez was called up, Dozier then spent more time as the designated hitter. With Ryan O’Hearn struggling, Dozier also saw some time over at first base as well.

    Out of all of the Royals, Hunter Dozier has surprised fans the most. He’s cooled off since, at one time, batting .350 in late April. Still, he’s proven that he can be a part of this team when the time to play big games arrives, and no one was thinking he would be in the picture long-term this time last year.

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