Royals' Offense Struggling, But Hard-Hit Balls Suggest Improvement Ahead

Despite the team's low batting average and run production, advanced stats point to better days for Kansas City's lineup.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 10:42pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball game in motion, with overlapping planes of color and shape representing the dynamic action on the field.Advanced stats indicate the Royals' offense is poised to break out of its early-season slump, with hard-hit balls just waiting to find gaps.Kansas City Today

The Kansas City Royals' offense has sputtered out of the gate in 2026, ranking near the bottom of MLB in key offensive categories like batting average and runs scored. However, a deeper dive into the team's advanced stats reveals a silver lining - the Royals are hitting the ball hard, they just haven't been getting the results to show for it. Analysts believe this is an indicator that the offense is poised to turn things around soon.

Why it matters

The Royals' slow offensive start has them near the bottom of the standings early in the season. But if the team's hard-hit rate and exit velocity numbers are any indication, their fortunes at the plate could be about to change, which would be a major boost to their playoff hopes.

The details

Through 16 games, the Royals rank 6th-worst in MLB in team batting average (.221) and are tied for 3rd-fewest runs scored (54). One telling stat is that star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., who has reached base 28 times and leads the league in stolen bases (8), has only scored one run so far. However, the Royals are leading the majors in average exit velocity and rank 7th in hard-hit rate at 43%. This suggests their offensive struggles are more about bad luck than poor quality of contact.

  • The Royals have played 16 games so far this season.

The players

Bobby Witt Jr.

The Royals' star shortstop who has reached base 28 times and leads MLB in stolen bases (8), but has only scored one run so far this season.

Chance Liebau

A baseball analyst who pointed out Witt's unusual stat of reaching base 28 times but only scoring once.

Trevor Plouffe

A host of the 'Talkin' Baseball' podcast who discussed the Royals' offensive struggles and the positive signs in their advanced stats.

Talkin' Jake

The co-host of the 'Talkin' Baseball' podcast who discussed the Royals' offensive struggles and the positive signs in their advanced stats.

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What they’re saying

“The Royals have played 16 games. Bobby Witt Jr. has reached base 28 times. He leads the league in stolen bases. Bobby Witt Jr. has touched home ONCE all season.”

— Chance Liebau, Baseball Analyst

“So, runners in scoring position has not been the Royals' strong suit. There are some arguments they are due. Cause they have been hitting the ball hard. They lead the majors in average exit [velocity], and they rank seventh with a 43% hard hit rate, but it hasn't been translating into hits... But it is an indicator that things will turn around. If you're pointing to a statistic that's like, 'Our offense should get going,' it is how hard you hit the ball. There's better days coming for the Royals.”

— Trevor Plouffe, Talkin' Baseball Podcast Host

What’s next

The Royals will have a chance to get their offense going on Tuesday when they take on the Detroit Tigers in the first game of a three-game series.

The takeaway

While the Royals' offensive numbers have been dismal so far this season, the team's advanced stats suggest their luck is about to change. If the Royals can continue hitting the ball hard and generating quality contact, their fortunes at the plate should improve, providing a much-needed boost to their playoff aspirations.