This season hopes were high for the Royals. Most of the young talent was up, there were veteran guys on the team, the pitching looked solid and it looked like, for the first time in a very long time that this team had a chance to compete for the playoffs.
Unfortunately that did not end up happening, however, the season was not a complete waste; in fact it was extremely productive in many ways. The Royals have seemed to solve all of their problems except for one: pitching.
Young catcher, Salvador Perez shined in his first season. He made the rest of the league very aware of his talent by throwing out runner after runner who attempted to steal on him. Another player who greatly improved was shortstop, Alcides Escobar, who really shined at the plate making him a complete player.
KC also really experimented with their starting pitching. What they learned was that Chen, Smith, Paulino, Mendoza and newly acquired Guthrie seem to be the best options as starting pitchers for next season. In the process they also learned that Sanchez was a bust and Hochevar is very good at times but extremely inconsistent.
With top prospect, outfielder, Wil Myers most likely making the starting lineup next season and closer, Joakim Soria coming back from his Tommy John surgery, the team looks to be 100 percent ready to compete for the playoffs.
Many Royals fans, including myself were upset with a 3rd place finish in the AL Central, but looking forward this team has tons of potential and looks like a very solid team for next season.