The Royals get an AL wild card and are in the playoffs for the first time since 2015

ATLANTA – The Kansas City Royals pulled off one of the most remarkable turns in major league history Friday night, securing a wild card into the American League despite a 3-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves.

A year ago, the Royals set a franchise record with 106 losses. Now we're headed to the postseason for the first time since winning the 2015 World Series.

“We’re just so proud of everyone,” said shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., the face of the revived franchise. “This is just the beginning of something special.”

The celebration was delayed by a masterful performance from Atlanta pitcher Max Fried. But the Royals finally popped the champagne corks in the visitors' clubhouse at Truist Park as the Minnesota Twins were eliminated with a 7-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles.

“This is not what we ideally wanted,” said Witt. “But we are here. We made it. We are so proud of each other. We can’t let one game define our season.”

Led by second-year manager Matt Quatraro, Kansas City is the first team in baseball history to reach the playoffs after posting such a dismal record last season.

In fact, the Royals are only the third team since the expansion era began in 1961 to advance to the postseason after losing at least 100 games the previous year.

The Twins earned a wild card in 2017 after posting a 59-103 record a year earlier, and the 2020 Florida Marlins qualified for a wild card during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season after a 57-105 debacle.

The Royals quickly fell on hard times after winning back-to-back AL pennants in 2014 and 2015 and their first World Series title in 30 years. They hadn't had a winning season since their championship run, had lost at least 100 games in three of their last six games, and were a laughing stock just a year ago.

That changed this season with a Witt-led team that became the first shortstop in major league history with multiple seasons of at least 30 home runs and 30 steals.

“You can’t help but be proud,” said general manager JJ Picollo. “It’s been a struggle all year. We’ve overcome a lot of adversity.”

The Royals struggled later on and suffered two defeats in seven games.

It didn't stop her in the end.

“We had some adversity here the last month of the season,” Picollo said. “But this is a tough, resilient group and we did it and here we are celebrating this moment.”

Witt leads the majors with 210 hits and a .332 batting average, along with 32 home runs, 109 RBIs and 31 stolen bases.

Veteran catcher Salvador Perez is also having a great offensive season with 27 home runs and 104 RBIs. The Royals made the playoffs despite losing first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino, who had 97 RBIs before breaking his right thumb and undergoing surgery.

There's a chance Pasquantino could return during the playoffs if the Royals go on an extended run.

Amazingly, Picollo didn't have to spend a lot of money to build a small market winner.

The players who have led Kansas City to heights not reached in nearly a decade were either on the team last year and simply needed a little more time to develop, or were free agent signings and acquisitions , which highlighted Picollo's baseball know-how.

Just look at the rotation.

Seth Lugo, who is 16-9 and has a 3.03 ERA, signed a modest three-year, $45 million contract as a free agent. Michael Wacha signed a similar two-year, $32 million contract and is 13-8 with a 3.35 ERA.

Cole Ragans contributed 11 wins with 223 strikeouts after being acquired from the Texas Rangers in a trade last season. Brady Singer rebounded from a disappointing 2023 and Michael Lorenzen is 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA in six starts since arriving near the trade deadline.

The bullpen also underwent a complete overhaul, and Lucas Erceg recorded 11 saves since the Royals acquired him in a trade with Milwaukee.

Owner John Sherman said he is thrilled that Kansas City fans will have a winning team to cheer for again.

“I remember we talked a lot about it, maybe in spring training, that we only wanted to play meaningful baseball in August and September and have a chance in October,” Sherman said. “Here we are.”

No one seems to be having more fun than Witt, who is having a historic season after signing an 11-year, $288.7 million contract to serve as the cornerstone of the franchise.

“I remember we talked about it a lot, maybe in spring training, that we only wanted to play meaningful baseball in August and September and play in October. Here we are.”

Royals owner John Sherman

The son of longtime big league pitcher Bobby Witt is the first player in major league history to have multiple 30-30 seasons in his first three years in the majors. Advanced metrics rank him not only as one of the best defenders, but also as one of the fastest players in baseball.

“He’s the best player in baseball,” Ragans said recently. “A special talent, a special person.”

While Kansas City fans have watched Witt's stardom blossom for several seasons, his coming out party may have come this summer during the Home Run Derby at Globe Life Field in Arlington, not far from his birthplace in Colleyville, Texas removed.

Witt reached the final before losing 14-13 to the Dodgers' Teoscar Hernandez in a dramatic showdown that came down to the final swing.

Now Witt can look forward to an even bigger stage.

The offseason.