MLB Standings
The Royals wrap up their 13th division title in a row on 12 September, their 25th of all time, and that secures a 20th successive playoff appearance.
Four games to go and the NL postseason is all but set with the only question whether it will be the Mets or the Braves who win the East, with the other guaranteed a Wild Card team. In the AL, the Rays and Yankees are fighting for the East while it is between the Rangers, Orioles, and Red Sox for the final Wild Card place.
Kansas City Results
19 September was 100-win day this season as the Royals beat the Pirates 4-1 in Pittsburgh, nine years in a row of 100-win seasons for the Royals.
Kansas City Statistics
With September's American League Rookie of the Month title slung over his shoulder, Nelson Saiz has no reason to be modest about his statistical output. But he was, telling BNN reporters, "I just put the bat on the ball a lot and a lot of them fell in. It was just my month to shine."
The 21-year-old blistered the baseball last month as he posted a .400 batting average, 32 hits, 5 home runs, 15 RBIs and 21 runs scored.
At present, Saiz is batting .324 with 145 hits and 25 home runs. He has knocked in 84 runs and scored 87 times.
Bobby Nickelberry battered American League pitchers all September and wound up taking home the Batter of the Month Award.
"I've been around Major League Baseball long enough to know you really have to work hard day in and day out to be able to put up this kind of consistency," the 29-year-old Nickelberry told reporters. "I put in a lot of work, even on the days I might not take the field, and it's always nice when everything comes together for me like it did this last month."
In 24 games, Nickelberry hit .427 with 7 home runs, 31 RBIs and scored 29 runs.
In the current season, Nickelberry has put up a .322 batting average with 86 hits, 21 home runs, 74 RBI and scored 53 runs.
Transactions & Injuries
The Royals make a number of September call ups to test out prospects and take pressure off the bullpen. Mike Gronkiewicz and Steve Katzin impressively make it from AA at the start of the season to a September call up.
A.J. Terry, Arturo Oramas and Cason Willard all come back to spend some time back on the roster before the end of the season and should be good to go for the offseason, Willard the arm that will make some rotation decisions very difficult!
Two former contributors who haven’t made it to the big leagues this year were DFA’d to make room for Pete Acors, as a September call up, and Willard’s return. Both Eli Blyden and Jeremy Stockoff made it through waivers though so there is a chance they are retained when the off season arrives.
Tuesday, September 1st , 2048
Purchased the contract of LF Ken Crome from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of RF Mike Gronkiewicz from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of 2B Steve Katzin from Triple A Omaha.
Promoted 3B David de Anda from Double A Northwest Arkansas to Triple A Omaha.
Promoted RF Bernalldino Igrejas from Double A Northwest Arkansas to Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of RP Chase Paggett from Triple A Omaha.
RP Jeremy Stockhoff was designated for assignment and placed on waivers.
Purchased the contract of RP Pete Acors from Triple A Omaha.
Friday, September 4th , 2048
Sent RF A.J. Terry to Triple A Omaha for injury rehab.
Monday, September 7th , 2048
Sent 2B Arturo Oramas to Triple A Omaha for injury rehab.
Sunday, September 13th , 2048
Sent SP Cason Willard to Triple A Omaha for injury rehab.
Wednesday, September 23rd , 2048
Purchased the contract of RF A.J. Terry from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of 2B Arturo Oramas from Triple A Omaha.
RP Eli Blyden was designated for assignment and placed on waivers.
Purchased the contract of SP Cason Willard from Triple A Omaha.