MLB SHOWDOWN 2019 SET -- Kansas City Royals

The Kansas City Royals were a bottom of the barrel team in 2019, finishing 4th in the AL Central with a record of 59-103 and third worst in the American League total. The showdown gods were not very kind to them and it shows in the cards representing the team this season. The top 3 or 4 players are use able, and many draft able pieces to help fit under a salary cap. Sadly I do not believe we will be seeing and first or second round picks used on the guys available from this team. 

His high home run rate puts Jorge on the Bomb Squad

Lineup: Not a pretty lineup that is for sure, luckily they at least get to start with 4 straight 8 on base batters that need to do a lot of damage for this team to win. Whit Merrifield can play 3 different positions making him very useful. also having 20 speed and anything over a 6 is a single and runners are moving. Alex Gordon brings his typical positive outfield defense, out through 3 with a 15 double. Jorge Soler was one of the best power hitters in baseball this year, with his high home run percentage leading to this fantastic home run hitting card this season. He may be a sneaky steal in drafts. Also Hunter Dozier is a sneaky player, that can move around the field in multiple positions and a double starting at 12, he will be highly coveted. Cam Gallagher is their only 7 on base and from here it is all 6 on base batters, high control pitchers will have a lot of success against a team like this. Adalberto Mondesi is one of my favorite 6 OB cards, hes a fun 24 speed with a +5 defense at short stop and his chart has everything if you can ever get it. Ryan O'Hearn is a power 6 OB hitter who hopefully can get some charts to make his power useful. Lopez is an infield specialist and Cuthbert is the other two positions Lopez can't play, in a league with days off and injuries those types of players can be very useful for a bench spot.

Rotation: Much like all the lower teams as I have stated before, pitching is a big weakness. The first two starters are more than good enough to keep you in a ball game, Keller being an above average for his tier due to giving up no doubles.While Duffy is the same tier as Keller but allows a double, giving the Royals two starters that at worst they can count on for hopefully 5 innings. Junis and Sparkman hopefully you won't have to draft for your team because if you do I don't like your teams chances in those games. 

Bullpen: This bullpen has two salvageable parts to use, Tim Hill has a nice reliever card, allwoing no doubles. He will be heavily relied upon for this team in a full team setting, 2-3 innings every time he pitches. Ian Kennedy may be used almost as much as those two are your best options in this bullpen. After that a couple of 1 controls out through 18, hopefully used against the end of a lineup and a 0 control allowing a homer hoping to have to never use.

In summary this is a team that we will likely forget about if you have the set. Not many guys that you want on your team, hopefully the ones that you do want you can pair with some other good pieces to make a stellar team. The Royals have 18 players totaling at 3180 points giving them an average of 176 points per player and they are well towards the bottom of the pack.

 Astros - 300

 Nationals - 295

 Twins - 293

 Rays - 285

 Cubs - 278

 Red Sox - 269

 Brewers - 268

 Indians - 259 

 Braves - 256

 Yankees - 249

 Athletics - 248

 Cardinals - 245

 Reds - 238

 D-Backs - 236

 Padres - 233

 Rangers 222

 Phillies - 213

 White Sox - 185

 Pirates - 184

 Mariners - 176 

 Royals - 176

 Marlins - 171

 Blue Jays - 167