WHEN A TEAM identifies a successful method in professional sports, it is often expected that other teams will follow suit, leading many to declare, “It’s a copycat league.” In the case of Major League Baseball (MLB), should teams be examining the 2024 Kansas City Royals closely?
The Royals had a remarkable season in 2024, achieving a 30-game improvement from the previous year, marking only the 14th instance of a year-over-year increase of that magnitude since 1901. This was just the fourth such improvement since the introduction of the wild card in the last 30 years. The Royals joined historical teams like the 1946 Boston Red Sox and 2008 Tampa Bay Rays as one of the rare teams to not only achieve this milestone but to also perform well in the playoffs.
So how did this turnaround happen? The Royals weren’t in the same situation as the 2022 Baltimore Orioles, who made significant advancements after several successful drafts. Moving into the 2024 season, analysts still viewed the Royals’ minor league system unfavorably, yet they defied expectations. The solutions to this “how” could significantly impact the competitive landscape of baseball.
The key to the Royals’ success largely revolved around how they approached starting pitching. After suffering 106 losses the previous year, the team made calculated moves to enhance their overall roster during the offseason. They exhibited surprising aggressiveness in free agency, focusing on crucial areas, particularly starting pitching.
Central to this turnaround was the performance of the pitching rotation, which saw a marked improvement, reducing their collective ERA from 5.17 to 3.76. Notably, while significant additions like Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha were brought on board, the team didn’t rely on any high-profile rookie or international signings.
The backs of the Royals were supported by a strong effort in innings pitched, with their starters logging an impressive 908 innings, the second-highest in the majors. The strategy incorporated a consistent effort approach rather than an over-reliance on velocity or strikeouts, yielding benefits that teams might want to emulate as they strategize for the upcoming season.
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