With Cleveland’s win over Detroit last night, the Royals were officially eliminated from postseason contention. That doesn’t mean the team will roll over and call it quits. Vinnie Pasquantino told reporters this week that while the team is disappointed they didn’t reach their goal, they want to finish strong.
“There’s a lot of pride in this team, and we’re going to show it this week.”
The Royals may be out of the postseason race, but there’s still history to be made and milestones to chase in the final
week. Here are things to watch for as the season winds down.
Salvy and Vinnie can become 30 HR/100 RBI teammates
Before this season, only ten players in Royals history had ever reached 30 home runs and 100 RBI in a season. Vinnie Pasquantino has already joined the list with 31 home runs and 108 RBI so far. But Salvador Perez and his 30 home runs are just three RBI from joining the list, which would mark the first time two Royals teammates have done it in a season.
It would be the second time Salvy has reached the 30 home run, 100 RBI plateau, something he accomplished in 2021 when he led the league in home runs. If he reaches the mark this season, it would be just the 32nd time in MLB history a catcher has reached the mark. He would be just the seventh catcher to do it in multiple seasons, joining Rudy York, Roy Campanella, Johnny Bench, Mike Piazza, Javy Lopez, and Cal Raleigh.
Bobby Witt Jr. can become the AL hits leader
Bobby is having a “down” season only in the respect that he’s not putting up otherworldly MVP-type numbers. He is still third in all of baseball in fWAR with 7.8, maintaining an extremely high benchmark for his success, and will almost certainly finish top ten in MVP voting again.
But he can still finish as the league leader in some offensive categories. He led the league in hits with 211 last year and has a shot at leading the league again this year. He currently trails Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette by five hits – 181 to 176. But Bichette is on the Injured List for the year, while Witt will get to finish the season in one of the most hitter-friendly ballparks in Sacramento. Bobby is also tied with Bichette for the league lead in doubles with 44.
Bobby also needs three more runs scored to have 100 for the season, which would be just the 28th 100-run season in Royals history. The only other players to do it in back-to-back seasons are Willie Wilson (1979-80), Johnny Damon (1998-2000), Mike Sweeney (1999-2000), and Carlos Beltrán (2001-03).
Carlos Estévez can become the MLB saves leader
The Royals signed Estévez late in the off-season, but it has proved to be a shrewd move. The 32-year-old is enjoying a career season with a 2.49 ERA, and his 41 saves lead all of baseball. He’ll have to fend off Robert Suarez of the Padres, whose 40 saves lead the National League. It is the eighth time in Royals history a reliever has reached the 40-save mark, with Estévez joining Dan Quisenberry (1983, 1984), Jeff Montgomery (1993), Joakim Soria (2008, 2010), and Greg Holland (2013, 2014). If Estévez can hold onto the MLB lead, it would be just the second time a Royals reliever has led all of baseball in saves, with Quisenberry achieving the feat in 1983.
Rookies give hope for the future
Despite having a lowly-ranked farm system, the Royals have produced some exciting young rookies that can provide hope for the future. St. Joseph native Noah Cameron has been a sensation in the rotation and could earn some Rookie of the Year votes. His 2.90 ERA is the lowest for any AL rookie with at least 100 innings, and it’s the third-lowest by a Royals rookie starter who made at least 20 starts behind only Paul Splittorff in 1971 and Kevin Appier in 1990.
Carter Jensen is receiving accolades for his minor league season, earning All-Star honors in the Texas League, and being tabbed as the top Royals minor leaguer by Baseball America. But he has impressed early on in his first month of big league action, showing a patient eye and a good power stroke. In September play, he has hit .289/.373/.556 with two home runs and six walks in 51 plate appearances.
Jac Caglianone had some early struggles, but the 2024 first-round pick may be turning a corner in September. He’s hitting .216/.344/.392 this month, showing much more patience at the plate. It could be a sign he’s maturing as a hitter and being more selective in his at-bats. The Royals will need him to finish strong and become a factor in next year’s lineup. But this trio of rookies should offer some hope for improvement in next year’s team.
The Royals can enjoy back-to-back winning seasons
Winning a title is the ultimate goal, and falling short of a playoff spot is disappointing. But finishing strong and enjoying a winning season should count for something, as manager Matt Quatraro put it.
“That’s not what we set our goals to be, to just be a .500 or better team, but it certainly means something to me. It means something to the organization.”
The Royals currently stand 79-78, and need three more wins to secure the 24th winning season in club history. The only other back-to-back winning seasons in the last 30 years were during the 2013-15 seasons.
This team is no longer in rebuild mode. The expectation should be about winning games, and a strong finish can help build that culture. October baseball may have to wait another year, but the foundation is stronger than it’s been in a decade. From Witt’s star power to a new wave of rookies, the Royals are giving fans a glimpse of a team built not just to compete, but to contend.
