Wins above replacement, or WAR, is the most useful statistic for estimating a player’s value. This analytical metric was not accessible until rather recently. I’ll explain the differences in the WAR formula between pitchers and position players in simple terms. WAR calculates how many wins a player may have above a league average player by taking into account position, stadium, and every facet of the game, including batting, baserunning, and fielding. Let’s examine the top 24 players in Kansas City Royals franchise history using WAR to assist us rate them.
George Brett, a third baseman, is without a doubt the greatest player to ever wear a Kansas City Royals uniform. The Glen Dale, West Virginia native played for the Royals for his whole 21-year career, and his name is all over the team’s record books. Brett amassed a career slash line of.305/.369/.487 in 2,707 games, along with 665 doubles, 137 triples, 201 stolen bases, and 317 home runs.
In addition to leading the American League in hits and triples three times apiece and doubles twice, he also won three batting crowns. In addition to winning three Silver Sluggers, a Gold Glove, and an astonishing thirteen all-star games for the Royals, Brett is most remembered for becoming the 1980 AL MVP. Brett was the offensive leader and finest player on Kansas City’s 1985 World Series-winning team. Although the Royals don’t retire many numbers, they did remove Brett’s number five from the lineup in 1994 since it was unwearable by another player. In 1999, he was admitted to the Hall of Fame.
Kevin Appier, a right-hander, played his first 11 seasons of professional ball with the Royals. He even went back to Kansas City to round up his career there. The native of Lancaster, California was not given nearly enough credit by Royals supporters during his time wearing the team’s colors, but looking back, it’s simple to understand why he ranks as the top pitcher on this list. Appier threw to a 3.49 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 287 appearances (275 of which were starts) for Kansas City. He also pitched 1,843.2 innings.
He was an all-star in 1995, won the 1993 ERA title, gained 115 victories, and pitched more than 200 innings for Kansas City seven times. While Appier was undoubtedly not an ace for the majority of his career, he provided the Royals with a middle-of-the-rotation starter that was dependable, steady, and—most importantly—effective for more than 10 years.
For the most part of his 15-year career, switch-hitting outfielder Willie Wilson was one of the American League’s most deadly offensive weapons thanks to his lightning-fast speed. He hit.289/.329/.382 with 414 extra-base hits, 509 RBI, and a franchise-high 612 stolen bases in 1,787 games with the Royals. In 1979, Wilson headed the Majors with an astounding 83 stolen bases, led the AL in triples four times, and stole more than 40 bags in six different seasons. In addition to winning the batting title in 1982 and being named to two all-star games, Wilson also won two Silver Sluggers, a Gold Glove, and—most importantly—assisted the Royals in winning the 1985 World Series.
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