Kansas City Royals: Return of the bats

The weather isn’t the only thing warming up here in the city of fountains, so are The Royals batting averages. Even with last nights drubbing of Jason Vargas, it seems that some of The Royals players have started to figure the whole hitting the ball thing out. With Eric Hosmer and Alcides Escobar leading the way, batting right around .300, others in the line up are beginning to show signs of life. Hosmer, by the way, is second in the A.L. in doubles with 16.

Here’s a break down of some of The Royals batters from the last seven day. The most improved batter title goes to Billy Butler. Country Breakfast has driven his average up to .252 with 8 hits, 1 double and 3 RBI’s. The runner up to Butler is Alex Gordon. Gordo had 6 hit, including his first 2 homers and had a season high 6 RBI in one game. Eric Hosmer had a down week but still managed to get 4 hits and drive in 3. Escobar, on the other hand, had a very good week adding 8 hits to his total as well as 2 doubles and 2 RBI. Lorenzo Cain seems to be seeing the ball very well collecting 5 hits and adding 1 RBI to his totals. Salvador Perez, who is out for the rest of the series with The White Sox had 6 knocks and drove in 1.

With all of this, along with several excellent starts from Yordano Ventura, James Shields and Danny Duffy (he was only perfect through 7) , The Royals offense appears to be heating up at a good time. There is a notable exception however, Mike Moustakas. As of today, he is batting .153, but this past week he had 3 hits, 2 doubles and 3 RBI’s giving him a batting average of .200 for the week.

The Royals, much to the bewilderment of just about everyone, have been very protective of Moose even going so far as to report that they have no intention of sending him down for a stretch in the minors. Moose hasn’t exactly helped himself out either, as far as his image is concerned, being coy with the media. One can only assume that he believes that his actions will speak louder than any questions he could answers in interviews. Ned Yost has made the decision to sit Moose for Tuesdays game, and let Valencia hit against a righty, could be a sign of progress I suppose.

Hopefully, he can build on this past week and get his batting average up to a somewhat respectable number by the all-star break.

There is no doubt, in Kansas City and nationally, that when this Royals offense gets hot, they are going to a force in the A.L. This is a good fundamental team with one of the best defenses in the American League. Hopefully, this past week is just a taste of what’s coming as the temperature begin to soar.

May update- Last year on the 20th of May The Royals were 6 and 11 for the month. This year they are 8 and 10. Progress I guess?