The Royals were pitcher heavy in their All Star selections with starters Eddie Baquerizo (2) and Ethan Chafin selected alongside relievers Tsuguo Abe (2) and Dan Nichols (7). For Nichols it is a first AS selection since 2035, and first in a reliever role. It had been even longer for RF Billy Mumaugh, who earns his 4th AS selection and first since 2034, justifying the Royals decision to pick up his TO for this year.
SP Eddie Baquerizo (KC) - 12-2, 2.44 ERA, 107.0 IP, 0.97 WHIP, 8.6 K/9, 3.5 WAR
SP Ethan Chafin (KC) - 8-2, 2.78 ERA, 119.2 IP, 0.98 WHIP, 10.1 K/9, 3.4 WAR
RP Tsuguo Abe (KC) - 4-5, 11 SV, 2.65 ERA, 68.0 IP, 0.94 WHIP, 10.7 K/9, 1.2 WAR
RP Dan Nichols (KC)* - 6-3, 1.28 ERA, 77.1 IP, 1.00 WHIP, 9.8 K/9, 1.7 WAR
RF Billy Mumaugh (KC) - .273/.409/.446, 271 AB, 7 HR, 25 SB, 135 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
No former Royals earned an All-Star selection this year.
It was a touch All Star Game for Royals selections as Billy Mumaugh went 0-2 with a walk, Ethan Chafin gave up 3 H and 2 R in 1 IP, Dan Nichols pitched 0.2 innings, giving up 2 H and 2 R and Eddie Baquerizo didn’t enter the game. Tsuguo Abe faired better, striking out 3 and giving up 1 walk in his one inning of work.
The Royals bats were generally above league average without being exceptional across the first half of the season. The exceptions were Bob Crimi (143 wRC+) and Billy Mumaugh (134 wRC+) while Sam Hart (74 wRC+) and Edgar Mir (92 wRC+) were disappointing by their high standards. There is crunch coming in the outfield with Natalino Villa coming back to fitness and Bobby Nickelberry a couple of weeks behind that.
The new infield has impressed with Gilberto Matos (110 wRC+), Estanislau Covete (116 wRC+), and Bob Morrison (105 wRC+) all hitting above average, while the Royals still have the 3rd best defensive efficiency in the AL.
The starting rotation has been exceptions again with only Joe Davis (97 FIP-) with a FIP- above 80 amongst starters. In the bullpen, only Beralldino Caneas has a FIP- above 100, but he retains enough credit from last year to be given another month at least.
Unless there is something too big to turn down, the Royals are unlikely to acquire any new major league players ahead of the deadline.