It has been quite the year for the Kansas City Royals. Initially projected to win 72 games by PECOTA, and not former Royal Bill Pecota, the Royals shattered those expectations, winning 95 games and clinching home field advantage throughout their run through the postseason. Along the way, Kansas City earned its first division title in thirty years, as the Royals ran away with the American League Central.
With the success that the Royals had this season, there were quite a number of players who exceeded expectations. Players like Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer finally reached their potential, or, at the very least, did more than scratch the surface thereof.