It never crossed our minds that we would be talking about the Royals and their unexpected surge in wRC+ (Weighted Runs Created Plus). So, what happened, and why all of a sudden the Royals are climbing the leaderboard?

I know what you are thinking, “Wait, the Royals? Is this the team that has been a basement dweller for years?” Yep, and things change, that’s why we love baseball, right?

It seems like a miracle happened to the Kansas City Royals where they went from a scrappy team to a team that has been putting together one of the more interesting offensive stretches in MLB, and they do it quietly. And we are talking in one offseason. – That’s impressive!

So, how did they do it? Is it something that we don’t know?

Let’s break it down.

What’s wRC+ and Why Does It Matter?

For those who watch baseball casually without obsessing with FanGraphs every day, the wRC+ might sound like an alien spaceship stat. So, what the heck is wRC+? Well, it is a Weighted Runs Created Plus, which is basically a stat that measures a player’s total offensive value, adjusted for park effects and league average.

English? A wRC+ of 100 is league average, which means that anything above 100 is better than average. Basically, a higher number is better, or in other words, the higher the number, the more productive the player (or team) is at creating runs.

So, what about the Royals? What is so special about their wRC+ numbers? Well, it is safe to say that they aren’t exactly known for climbing to the top of the scoreboard last season, right? On top of that, we have their outfielders which had one of the worst wRC+ numbers in the league, sitting around miserable 3 – way below average.

But things change in baseball, and quite fast to be honest. If we fast forward to August 2024, we can see that the Royals are suddenly awakened and they are showing some life. We can also see a change in the MLB lines.

But what exactly happens and how can things change so drastically in one offseason?

The Renfroe Effect

Well, things don’t go magically better. There must be something or someone that influenced the stats and the team’s form. Can you guess the player that we are talking about? – That’s right, Hunter Renfroe.

Okay, he might not have the flashiest name in MLB, but there is something that he brings to the table that Kansas City really needs – POWER!

He might be in down years, but he still managed to pull 20+ homers. On top of that, his presence has lengthened the lineup, which finally gave the Royals a more legitimate middle-of-the-order threat behind other stars like Salvador Perez and Bobby Witt Jr.

When it comes to his defense, there are many mixed opinions. If we look at the stats, he has been below the league average lately). That’s why his offense output is incredible! We are talking about an arm ranking in the 91^st percentile.

But we should give the man some room, and be fair to say that he also contributes defensively, although his range isn’t what it used to be.

Young Guns Stepping Up

It’s not just the veterans carrying the load. The Royals’ younger players, especially Cole Ragans, have also stepped up in a big way. Ragans, who came over in a trade with the Texas Rangers, has been nothing short of spectacular.

His second-half ERA of 2.64 ranks him among the league’s best, and his 31.1% strikeout rate is keeping hitters on their toes. A reliable starting pitcher can do wonders for a team’s morale and performance, and Ragans seems to be the guy keeping the Royals in games when it matters most.

Key Stats and Facts: What’s Driving the Surge?

• Team wRC+ in 2024: The Royals’ wRC+ as a team has risen significantly, flirting with the league average, which might not sound impressive, but for a team that was way below that, it’s a big deal.
• Home Runs: Thanks to Renfroe and some other contributors, the Royals have seen an uptick in home runs, which has been a crucial factor in their improved run production.
• Veteran Presence: Adding players like Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha has helped stabilize the rotation, giving the offense more opportunities to shine without constantly playing from behind.

Can This Continue? Should We Believe?

Now, let’s be real—are the Royals suddenly going to win the AL Central? Who knows? With this momentum, they certainly can. They’ve already moved into first place with a third win over Guardians. But can they play spoiler and build momentum for 2025?

Absolutely. The AL Central isn’t exactly stacked with juggernauts, and if the Royals keep hitting and pitching like they have been, they could sneak up on some teams. It’s a long shot, but stranger things have happened in baseball.