Many of you remember Matt Stairs, who played first base and in the outfield for the Royals from 2004 to 2006. Stairs can best be described as a “professional hitter”. His physique didn’t look like someone the Royals would employ, as they tend towards the leaner, athletic build.
The Royals covet toolsy athletes and Stairs, standing 5’9 and weighing in at 200 pounds (conservatively) doesn’t awe anyone in those categories. But man, could he hit. In 1,224 plate appearances with the Royals, he stroked 39 home runs and drove home 164 on some stinker teams. Those Royal teams went 139-262 when Stairs was on the roster.