Bobby Witt Jr. and friends look to usher in a new era of Royals baseball in 2024
After winning the World Series in 2015, the Kansas City Royals have not been able to replicate that success with zero postseason appearances and multiple 100-plus loss seasons, including numerous top picks in the MLB Draft.
But in 2024, the fans in Kansas City might have something to root for after some rare offseason spending and the emergence of two rising stars in MLB.
Heading into his third season in MLB, Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. has transformed himself into one of baseball's brightest young stars.
Coming off of a 2023 season that saw him slash .276/.319/.495 with 69 extra-base hits, 96 RBI and 49 stolen bases, the second overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft is just getting started.
After signing an 11-year, $288M contract extension with the Royals in February, he will look to become one of the franchise greats in Kansas City and he finally has some help.
Acquired in June of last year from the Texas Rangers, Royals pitcher Cole Ragans was dominant after his arrival and heads into the 2024 season as one of the dark-horse candidates to win the American League Cy Young Award.
Ragans struggled early in 2023, going 2-3 with a 5.92 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 24 strikeouts in 24.1 innings pitched while being used primarily as a bullpen arm.
After the trade, the Royals threw him directly into the rotation and he flourished, going 5-2 with a 2.64 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 89 strikeouts in 71.2 innings pitched.
He will look to continue his newfound success in 2024 where he will be the Royals' Opening Day starter.
Another name to keep an eye on is third baseman Maikel Garcia. The 24-year-old made the most of his rookie year, slashing .272/.323/.358 with 28 extra-base hits, 50 RBI and 23 stolen bases in 123 games played.
He enters 2024 as a breakout candidate, as he looks to provide a little more pop as he has shown in spring training with two home runs in 12 games after only four last season.
In an American League Central division that is ripe for the taking, the Royals could be one of baseball's biggest surprises in 2024.
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