If Kevin Kiermaier had been drafted in the 31st round by New York or Boston, even Tony Kornheiser would have known who he was. But a player like that can get lost in a small market.
Kiermaier was never the best overall player on the Rays, and in a time when players are too-often reduced to their WAR totals, a Casual National Reporter who doesn’t follow the Rays beat might be forgiven for not thinking too hard about what they weren’t seeing when they weren’t watching. But those who kept their eyes open knew.
When healthy, KK was the best outfield defender in a generation.