Bombs Away

Last year the Kansas City Royals were built on team speed, defense and a strong bullpen. This was the new recipe for success in a small market. Placing a higher value on defense than on-base percentage, and realizing limiting the other team to 6 innings in which to score would ultimately land this team in the playoffs.

But then a funny thing happened in October. The Royals decided to add a dimension to their games that had not been seen that entire year. They started hitting the long ball. Players like Mike Moustakas stroked 5 dingers to set the Royals all-time record in a postseason. The team that was dead last during the regular season in long balls ended up winning multiple games in the postseason with the home run.

Last year the Royals played 13 games before slugging their 4th round-tripper of the year. In 2015 the Royals have done it in 17 innings.

It is no doubt a pace they will not keep up, but it did make me think a little about the new found power this team has found. What has changed? The Royals are still running! They already have racked up 4 stolen bases (one even coming by the fleet of foot Salvy) on the fledgling season, and they are still fielding (I know it is only 2 games trust me…) committing zero errors in 79 total chances. So it isn't some dramatic change in team philosophy.

Only one of the bombs has come from a player that wasn't on the 2014 roster, so it isn't an influx in power hitters either. So what is it? The only answer I can honestly think of is CONFIDENCE. This team seems incredibly confident on the field, and off. More so than at anytime I can ever remember watching Royals players, this team believes they will win.

This is something I noticed in the postseason. They seemed to be playing with house money. And there is no thinking about the negatives when that happens. Thus everything you do, you do with much less stress, hence more confidence.

I think that is exactly what we are seeing at Kauffman these past few games. This team KNOWS they have what it takes to play with anyone. They know they are a better team than the White Sox, and they trust they will do whatever it takes to win. If this type of confidence can last all season, I may be eating my words about 84 wins and missing the playoffs.

This is obviously a what have you done for me lately piece. I will probably be complaining about it in the near future, but hey, it's fun! And something that you know isn't lost on this team, "Chicks dig the long ball!"

Graphic Courtesy of ESPN: Royals lead league in OPS during this young season:

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