Fansided

Each MLB team’s most surprising player from April

By Joshua Sadlock

Apr 3, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Eric Thames (7) hits a double to drive in two runs in the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Eric Thames (7) hits a double to drive in two runs in the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 1, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; (editors note: caption correction) Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer (35) connects for a two run home run in the seventh inning against the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; (editors note: caption correction) Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer (35) connects for a two run home run in the seventh inning against the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

Kansas City Royals: Eric Hosmer

Eric Hosmer’s walk year could not have gotten off to a worse start. He batted just .225/.283/.294 with a single home run and six RBI. Hosmer has not necessarily been awful at the plate. He has made contact at a high rate, and with good exit velocity — above the league average by almost three mph, in fact. The problem for Hosmer has been the type of contact. He is hitting the ball on the ground in over 60 percent of his plate appearances.

Unless Hosmer can do something to change his swing and generate more lift, he will continue to struggle. Even the best MLB hitters rarely hit much better than .200 when they put the ball on the ground. On his ground balls this season, Hosmer is batting .178/.178/.178 with seven double-play balls.

The month of May will be critical for Hosmer and the Royals. They are already buried in the standings, and with another losing month, it will be time to seriously consider blowing up the team and dealing away expiring contracts like Hosmer’s. The franchise needs him to have some value as a hitter to make a trade worth it. For Hosmer, getting his swing back on track is necessary to establish value when free agency hits this winter. He is not an elite defender or power hitter, and could have a hard time finding the nine-figure deal that could carry him for the rest of his career.

On a more positive note, Ian Kennedy, Jason Vargas, and Danny Duffy have pitched very well for the Royals. Unfortunately the offense will not be able to support them until Hosmer, the heart of the lineup, gets it going.

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