Alongside the Successor

 

It's funny that a few years ago, when M.J. Melendez was platooning with Salvador Perez it didn't really work because Melendez wasn't a very good defensive catcher, and now platooning with Freddy Fermin works because Fermin's a great multi-tool guy who's great behind the plate. While Melendez is just...in the outfield, watching the whole thing happen. Glad that it happened, wishing it was him.

I didn't think we'd get to a point where both Salvador Perez and Freddy Fermin could be succeeding together, I thought one would be used in lieu of the decline of the other. But Perez, while still a terrific power hitter, has been taking more reps at DH so that Fermin, who's hitting .300 with 36 RBIs, can be in the lineup as well. It works for all involved parties. The 29-year-old Fermin can have a full season of one of his prime years, while Perez stays in the lineup and continues his run as the pillar of the team. Fermin, even on a team with Bobby Witt Jr., is statistically the best defender on the team, and he's one of many great defenders helping the Royals stay afloat this year. Perez, meanwhile, is looking at another 100+ RBI year, with 25 homers already. Having one or the other is good enough, but having both have made the Royals as strong as they are.

And it's not just them that have caused this team to breathe up the neck of the Guardians for a division title. Vinnie Pasquantino is fourth on the league RBI charts with 97. Bobby Witt's looking at a 200+ hit season, as well as a 30-30 season if he keeps this up. The rotation is still very strong. And the aggressive yet relaxed trade deadline mentality brought great seasons from Paul de Jong, Lucas Erceg and Michael Lorenzen over to KC, where they've outdone even some of the bigger names of the deadline. This team has gained ground where the Twins and Guardians have stuttered, and if it weren't for yesterday they'd have taken first.

And yet...now you're seeing the smallest cracks. Cole Ragans and Michael Lorenzen both left starts with injury fears, and Lorenzen might be missing time. If this team didn't have Alec Marsh and Kris Bubic ready to go I'd be worried but Ragans especially would be a big blow to this team. They already lost Hunter Harvey after he was rolling, and hopefully there isn't more to come. Not when they're this close.

The Royals are very close to proving a lot of people wrong, and landing a crucial position in the postseason picture. It could fall back the other way, but if they stay at it they could take the division and completely flip the script.

Coming Tonight: One of the many people called upon to plug up the holes in the Reds' rotation.