#3 in MLB, #1 in our Hearts

The Royals won in Cleveland last night, pushing their record to 13-6, which is third-best in all of baseball. Their strong start has been driven by the energy and enthusiasm of the team, as well as individual performances. Even though there is still 88% of the season left to play, it is worth singling out some of the players who are driving this early season success, so below you will find some statistics that are helping the Royals thrive:

• Lorenzo Cain has the 5th highest batting average (.362) in the AL, which includes 25 hits and 2 home runs, along with 12 RBI’s. He also has 5 stolen bases, 6 bases on balls, and has been hit by 4 pitches. His on-base percentage (.438) is 8th highest in the MLB.

• Edinson Volquez has been even better than advertised, leading the Royals’ starting pitchers with an ERA of 1.91 and 23 strikeouts. He has also given up only 5 bases on balls in 28.1 innings pitched. 

•  The Royals bullpen has been outstanding, allowing only 5 earned runs on the season in 59.9 innings pitched, good for a 0.75 ERA. They also have 57 strikeouts and 8 saves. Wicked good, even though closer Greg Holland has missed the past few weeks due to injury. The MLB already knows how good the Royals bullpen is, BUT THEY ARE HELPLESS TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT:

• Paulo Orlando, who spent the past 9 years in the Minors, has been making the best of his first shot at The Show. He currently has a .289 batting average with 5 triples (more than all but 10 TEAMS in the MLB), and 4 bases on balls in only 45 career at-bats. He has filled in nicely in right field for the injured Alex Rios.

• Defensively, there are no weaknesses. Sal Perez has thrown out 7 runners trying to steal, and runners are only lucky enough to steal a base on him 22% of the time, and overall lead the all of baseball by allowing only 36.4% of runners to steal. The Royals as a whole only have 10 errors, which is fewer than all but 5 teams, which has helped them have the 4th best defensive efficiency ratio in the MLB. Alex Gordon seems to be on his way to another Gold Glove, and Eric Hosmer, Perez, and Alcides Escobar are also building their cases for one as well. Gordon had the best catch of the year this past Sunday (see below):

• Mike Moustakas, who only had 17 opposite field hits last season, already has 14 this season. His new approach at the plate has allowed him to be a very effective hitter batting second in the lineup. His on-base percentage (.419) ranks #20 in the MLB, and his batting average (.342) is second-best on the Royals. He is tied for the team lead with 3 home runs and has also been hit by 6 pitches. 

The Royals have had a great start to the season and I hope it continues. They may be third-best in baseball but they are number one in my heart. Let's go Royals!