The Royals won 74 games in 2021, and all signs pointed to another 70-plus win season in 2022. But Kansas City regressed significantly and finished the 2022 campaign in the basement of the AL Central with a 65-97 record.
Former first-rounder Brady Singer posted a team-high 10 wins with a 3.23 ERA and 150 strikeouts over 153.1 innings. Veteran catcher Salvador Perez led the team with 23 home runs, while shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. tallied 20 long balls.
The Royals have a talented core of young hitters but desperately need to upgrade their starting rotation to be competitive next season.
The Kansas City Royals were founded in 1969 as an expansion team of the American League. They play in the American League (AL) Central division. The franchise has remained in Kansas City, Missouri, since its founding, never relocating.
The Royals have gone to two World Series, winning in 1985 and 2015, as well as four AL pennants and a total of seven Division titles. Some of their iconic moments include making their first Postseason appearance in 1976, George Brett's home run off Goose Gossage that secured the American League pennant in 1980, and Salvador Perez's walk-off single to win the 2015 World Series against New York Mets.
The team currently plays all home games at Kauffman Stadium, affectionately known to fans as "The K". Originally called Royals Stadium, it was later renamed Kauffman Stadium in 1993 after the death of Royals founder Ewing Kauffman. The stadium is located on the east side of downtown Kansas City, Missouri, and is regarded as one of the most beautiful parks in baseball. It is known for its grand fountains beyond center field that shoot off when a Royal hits a home run.
The biggest rivals of the Royals are their American League Central Division opponents the Minnesota Twins and the Chicago White Sox, with whom they often battle for the AL Central Division title. Historically, they have performed well against these teams with a cumulative winning percentage of around .525, although the Twins have had a slight edge over the past few years.
Some star players who have played for the Royals include Hall-of-Famers George Brett (MVP 1980) and Goose Gossage; four-time All-Star Mike Sweeney; three-time All-Star Bret Saberhagen; two-time All-Stars Amos Otis and Willie Wilson; All-Star Bo Jackson (MVP 1989) and Cy Young award winner Zack Greinke.
