Kansas City Royals: Most surprising players through first half of 2019

KANSAS CITY, MO - JUNE 21: Kansas City Royals second baseman Whit Merrifield (15) congratulates third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert (19) at home plate after Cuthbert's 3-run home run in the fifth inning of an MLB game between the Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Royals on June 21, 2019 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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Ian Kennedy #31 of the Kansas City Royals (Photo by Reed Hoffmann/Getty Images) /

MOST SURPRISING ROYALS

NUMBER 2 – IAN KENNEDY

We just discussed how Alex Gordon signed the largest contract in Kansas City Royals history, but Ian Kennedy signed the second largest deal in franchise history. The first three years of that deal looked to be a bust for Kennedy, who wasn’t doing well as a starter.

This year, however, the Royals opted to move their second highest paid player to the bullpen, where he’s performed admirably in his new role. Kennedy has made 34 appearances so far this year while throwing 35 innings.

In those 35 innings, Kennedy has posted a 3.60 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and has even notched 11 saves. Kennedy’s role as an occasional closer (he’s really the only reliever who can be trusted to close things out) has been an unexpected one and might even be what gets him and his contract off the books in Kansas City.

While performing well out of the pen won’t be enough to make Ian Kennedy’s large contract worth it, at least he’s doing his job much better now.

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