The Royals love the glove.
The Royals led all of baseball in Outs Above Average and had four Gold Glove finalists, so they know all about defense. It was a big reason why their pitching staff improved so much in 2024 and why the team won 30 more games than a year ago. Here are the top defensive plays for the Royals this year.
April 11 – Bobby makes a play with Nick Loftin leaping over him
Nothing can stop Bobby Witt Jr., not even his own teammates! In an early game against the Astros, Victor Caratini hit a routine groundball to the right side between Witt and Nick Loftin. But both players went from the ball, and Loftin leaped over Witt in order to avoid a collision. Undeterred, Bobby ducked and was still able to make the play.
April 25 – Kyle Isbel catch in the rain
April showers came to Kansas City for a game against the Blue Jays, and the Royals clung to a 2-1 lead and were trying to just get through five innings to make the game official. Isiah Kiner-Falefa blasted a fly ball in the fifth that could have spelled trouble. But Kyle Isbel ran back, and looked up into the rain to make a spectacular catch to preserve the rain-shortened victory.
April 26 – Adam Frazier robs a homer and throws a runner out
Parker Meadows thought he had a home run, but Adam Frazier had other plans. The veteran who spent most of his career at second showed he can play right field as well. He went high into the air to rob Meadows of a home run, then had the presence of mind to throw to first to double off a baserunner.
April 28 – Bobby Witt Jr. over-the-shoulder catch
Bobby has worked hard to improve his defense and it was rewarded with a nomination as a Gold Glove finalist. An example of his defensive prowess was on display in an April game against Detroit when Colt Keith’s pop fly to shallow left was chased down by Bobby, and with his back turned to home, he made the catch, Willie Mays-style.
May 25 – Chris Stratton behind the back
Chris Stratton largely struggled on the mound, but he did show he can field his position well. In a May game against the Rays, he showed off his quick reflexes by fielding a chopper back to the mound hit by Amed Rosario – by fielding it behind his back.
June 15 – Bobby catch-and-throw double play
How many great Bobby catches can we include? ALL OF THEM. In a June game against the Dodgers, he went to shallow left to make a running catch from a blooper hit by Andy Pages. Then he had the wherewithal to turn and throw towards first to double off the runner. Two outs for the price of one!
July 3 – Isbel’s catch saves the game
The bullpen had its issues during the summer, but luckily they had one of the best defensive centerfielders in the game to bail them out. In a July game against the Rays, the Royals clung to a 4-2 lead in the ninth. With the tying run at the plate against James McArthur, Taylor Walls drove a ball to deep centerfield. Isbel was able to track and down and sno-coned the ball, preserving the lead and eventually, the win.
July 29 – Bobby seals win with diving stop
Sometimes the 27th out is the hardest one to record, but not for Bobby Witt Jr. He polished off an 8-5 win over the White Sox in July with an amazing diving stop, then unleashed his cannon arm to get Andrew Vaughn at first to end the game.
August 25 – Freddy Fermin picks off Bryson Stott
Freddy Fermin established himself as the best backup catcher in the league, with some of the best defense in the league. In an August game, he showed off his arm, picking off Philadelphia’s Bryson Stott off second. Fermin was named a Gold Glove finalist for his efforts.
October 2 – MJ Melendez redeems himself in the Wild Card series
MJ has improved in the outfield, but his defense can still be a work in progress. In Game 1 of the Wild Card series against the Orioles, he misplayed a sinking fly ball by overrunning it, allowing Ramón Urías to reach second on a double. But he redeemed himself in Game 2 with a terrific running catch that might have saved a run in a close, low-scoring game.
Did I miss any? What was your favorite Royals defensive play this year?