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188. Kevin Appier

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188. Kevin Appier
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: December 6, 1967 in Lancaster, CA USA
  • Weight: 180 lbs.
  • Height: 6'2"
  • Bats: R
  • Throws: R
  • Debut: June 04, 1989
  • Final Game: April 23, 2004
  • Cy Young - 1993
  • MVP - 1993
  • Rookie of the Year - 1990
 
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Kevin Appier was arguably one of the most underrated Pitchers of the 1990s, and perhaps we can shed some light on a career that feels unknown outside of Kansas City.

After finishing 12-8 with a third-place finish in Cy Young voting in 1990, Appier was a fundamentally sound, albeit somewhat hidden in small market Kansas City.  The righthander had a great 1993 season, going 18-8, and leading the American League in ERA (2.56), ERA+ (179), FIP (2.90), and bWAR (9.3).  Appier was third in Cy Young voting, though his bWAR was more than double over the winner, Jack McDowell of Chicago.  Appier would later finally earn an All-Star berth in 1995, though that criminally would be the only one he went to.  

In his time with the Royals, Appier had seven top-ten finishes in bWAR, five ERA top-ten finishes, and four top-five finishes in Strikeouts.  Despite these strong stats, the 1993 season was the only year that he received a Cy Young vote.

Following the Royals, Appier played for Oakland, New York (NL), and Anaheim, where he won a World Series Ring in 2002.  He returned to KC to finish his career, retiring in 2004.  Appier left the game with a 169-137 record with 1,994 Strikeouts.

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Lancaster, California, U.S.A.
  • Eligible In: Friday, 01 January 2010
  • Position: Pitcher
  • Played For: Anaheim Angels, Kansas City Royals, New York Mets, Oakland Athletics
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    World Series Rings (1) (Anaheim Angels 2002) 
    All-Star (1995)
    Highest bWAR for Pitchers (1) (AL) (1993)
    Lowest ERA (1) (AL) (1993)
    Highest ERA+ (1) (AL) (1993)
    Lowest FIP (2) (AL) (1993 & 1996) 
    Highest Win Probability Added (2) (AL) (1992 & 1993)
    Highest Championship Win Probability Added (1) (AL) (1993)
    Most Putouts by a Pitcher (1) (AL) (1997)
    Highest Fielding Percentage by a Pitcher (4) (AL) (1994, 1995, 1996 & 2004)

  • Other Points of Note:

    Top Ten Cy Young Finishes:
    (AL: 1993, 3rd)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (bWAR for Pitchers)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (ERA)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (Wins)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (WHIP)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (H/9)
    1 Top Ten Finish (BB/9)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (SO/9)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (Games Pitched)
    8 Top Ten Finishes (Saves)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Innings Pitched)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Strikeouts)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (Games Started)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (Complete Games)
    8 Top Ten Finishes (Shutouts) 
    5 Top Ten Finishes (SO/BB)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (ERA+)
    8 Top Ten Finishes (FIP)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Win Probability Added)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (Championship Win Probability Added)

  • Notable All Time Rankings:

    61. Win Probability Added: 26.6
    82. bWAR for Pitchers: 54.9
    90. Strikeouts: 1,994

  • Vote Percentage Received for the Hall of Fame:

    2010: 0.2%

  • Should be Inducted As A: Kansas City Royals

Should Kevin Appier be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 0%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 100%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 0%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 0%

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