It’s probably fitting that when the Kansas City Royals recorded their final out to head to the World Series for the first time since 1985 (consequently, also the last time they were even in the playoffs) that it was Mike Moustakas that threw out J.J. Hardy at first base to end it. It’s been a tumultuous season for the former top prospect, but his recent stretch in helping the Royals to eight straight playoff wins has helped to erase any memory of a disastrous 2014 regular season.
There are no shortage of great stories for the Royals in these playoffs. Alex Gordon taking his talents to the big stage, Lorenzo Cain breaking out and flashing his tools, and everything else that has made Kansas City into one of the better playoff stories in recent memory. Even when you’re not talking about him diving over railing to make a catch, or flashing the leather actually in the field, Mike Moustakas has been a pretty wonderful story.
Moustakas finished the regular season with some pretty rough stuff, in terms of his numbers. He finished barely over the Mendoza line in terms of his batting average, finishing with a .212 clip. It actually took a .239 August and a .247 September to even get him to that point. His on-base percentage wasn’t much better, at .271 on the year, and he did have to endure a stint in the minors at one point earlier in the year.
At the same time, though, he did represent a regular source of power in a lineup that ranked last in the league in home runs during the regular season. When he did make contact, it was typically for extra bases, as illustrated by his .149 ISO. He hit 15 homers during the regular season, in addition to 21 doubles. There were some flashes of consistency there, but nothing that indicated he’ll turn around what has been a disappointing career to this point.
The postseason has been a different story entirely, though.
Moustakas has been a regular contributor to the Royals’ offensive outburst that has transpired throughout the first eight games of this MLB postseason. Through 29 at-bats during the playoffs, his average isn’t quite that impressive, at .241, but it’s a far cry from where he was during the regular season. His four home runs lead the team during the playoffs, a pair of which came in extra inning games that resulted in Kansas City wins (obviously).
His solid fielding from the regular season has carried over to the postseason, where he’s turned into a star with the leather. He made a gorgeous diving catch at third base in Game 3 of the ALCS before evolving into a Kansas City legend when he catapulted into the dugout suite. He’s not a mere footnote in the defensive exploits of the Royals in these playoffs; he’s right in the middle of everything.
That’s not to say that we should expect Mike Moustakas to continue to break out moving forward. In a small sample size, his ability to hit for extra bases makes all the difference. Moose has been an absolute joy to watch, just as the rest of these Royals have in the playoffs.
Perhaps even more so, just because of the struggles he went through during the regular season.
