Kansas City Royals' 2024: A Season of Growth and Promising Futures
As the curtain falls on the Kansas City Royals' 2024 season, the franchise and its loyal fans find themselves in a reflective mood. Despite the narrow 3-1 loss to the New York Yankees in Game 4 of the American League Division Series (ALDS), the season has been one characterized by remarkable turnaround and enormous potential for the years ahead. The Royals improved their win total by an impressive 30 games compared to their 2023 campaign, marking their first playoff appearance since their celebrated 2015 championship run.
Perhaps the most striking aspect of the Royals' resurgence in 2024 was their sweep of the Baltimore Orioles in the Wild Card Series, a testament to the team's tenacity and growth. The emergence of Bobby Witt Jr. was particularly pivotal. Witt Jr. achieved a single-season Wins Above Replacement (WAR) of 9.4, becoming only the 11th player in the Integrated Era to notch a WAR of 9.0 or greater before the age of 25. The young phenom is expected to finish second in the American League MVP race for 2024, a remarkable feat by any measure. With his contract securing his presence in Kansas City through at least the 2030 season, Witt Jr. stands as a cornerstone for the Royals’ future aspirations.
However, the Royals face uncertainties as they head into the offseason. Key players such as Michael Lorenzen, Paul DeJong, Garrett Hampson, and Will Smith are all poised to enter free agency. Meanwhile, Michael Wacha holds a $16 million player option for the 2025 season, leaving some questions regarding next season's roster configuration. Nonetheless, the Royals have some stability with Seth Lugo, Cole Ragans, and Brady Singer, who remain under contract or team control through at least 2025.
Offensively, the Royals ranked 13th in Major League Baseball for runs scored in 2024, a respectable position that reflects their improved performance. However, with a ranking of 20th in MLB for weighted runs created plus (wRC+), there is still significant room to fortify the lineup. Particularly, the combined output from their third base, left field, center field, and designated hitter spots was disappointing, hitting just .226/.281/.356. This was notably below the major-league average of .242/.311/.402 for those positions.
As they enter the free-agent market, Kansas City will have opportunities to address these offensive gaps. Players such as Anthony Santander and Teoscar Hernández present intriguing options to enhance the Royals' batting prowess. The organization will need to thoughtfully balance strategic acquisitions while nurturing the young talent currently within their ranks.
This season has set the stage for the Kansas City Royals to build upon their accomplishments and steer back into the elite echelons of Major League Baseball. The 2024 season, while culminating in a postseason farewell sooner than desired, has been a beacon of hope and a firm foundation for future success. As the Royals look ahead, they do so with a fan base reinvigorated by the promise of what lies ahead, led by the exceptional talent of Bobby Witt Jr. and a supporting cast poised to make further strides.