MLB Network’s Shredder seems to hate the Royals

Why are Royals ranking so low on these lists?

MLB Network is ranking the top ten RIGHT NOW at each position. They evaluate players using “past player performance, a number of offensive and defensive metrics, both advanced data and traditional numbers, and analysis by the MLB Network research team” through something called THE SHREDDER. I don’t know what exactly is being shredded. Cabbage? Some totally gnarly waves? Is it an homage to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?

Anyway, THE SHREDDER ranks players RIGHT NOW and maybe I am being an overly sensitive homer, but it totally hates the Kansas City Royals.

First, let’s start with the pitcher rankings. RIGHT NOW.

I guess this is fair enough. Seth Lugo was sixth among all pitchers in fWAR and was second in Cy Young voting, but I get not necessarily wanting to reward him after just one season except oh yea, rookie Paul Skenes is on there. Also, would it surprise you to know that over the last two seasons combined, Lugo has more fWAR than Gerrit Cole, Blake Snell, or Corbin Burnes?

Anyway, I guess I get leaving him off, he doesn’t get the strikeouts like the other guys do (although strikeouts are fascist!) Cole Ragans at least got a deserved spot in the top ten, something he didn’t get on the fan list:

Seriously, Jacob deGrom? He’s made nine starts over the last two years combined!

The catcher list was a bit more suspect.

NO SALVADOR PEREZ AT ALL? Salvy was third among all catchers in home runs and fifth in wRC+. BUT FRAMING! Hey, he actually wasn’t god-awful in pitch-framing either. And he was fifth overall in fWAR among all catchers.

So what gives? He’s not some young fluky kid, he’s been mashing like this for years. Nine-time All-Star? Five-time Silver Slugger winner? 2021 home run champ? You’ve heard of Salvador Perez, haven’t you Shredder?

But the most egregious list is Shredder’s shortstop list.

Here’s a list of players with more fWAR than Bobby Witt Jr. over the last two seasons:

I tricked you, I didn’t list anyone! Because Bobby has a ridiculous 16.2 fWAR to go with his 2024 batting title, back-to-back 30/30 seasons, and a 2024 Gold Glove Award. If that doesn’t scream the best RIGHT NOW, I don’t know what does.

Vinnie Pasquantino was just as confused as I was.

Baseball’s Hot Stove is cool as a cucumber and we still have a month to go before spring training, so bear with me as I get outraged about silly things. But I think THE SHREDDER could use a reboot.