KC Royals’ Matt Quatraro named runner-up in AL Manager of the Year award voting

In his second season at the helm, manager Matt Quatraro helped the Kansas City Royals make a long-awaited return to the postseason. For that, he was among the top candidates for postseason honors, including Manager of the Year.

Quatraro finished second in voting for the 2024 American League Manager of the Year award. The prestigious honor was presented by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA).

Quatraro received two first-place votes, 19 second-place votes and six third-place votes. He finished as a runner-up behind Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt.

Vogt totaled 142 points among the BBWAA voters. Quatraro had 73 total points, while Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch (41 points) and Joe Espada (6) rounded out the vote-getters.

The final totals are calculated as five points for a first-place vote, three points for a second place vote and one point for a third-place vote.

The Royals made significant strides under Quatraro. The club finished 86-76 and made its first playoff appearance since the 2015 season. Quatraro guided the Royals to a 30-win increase after tying the franchise record with 106 losses in 2023.

KC became the third MLB team — joining the 2020 Miami Marlins and 2017 Minnesota Twins — to reach the postseason after a 100-loss campaign in the previous year.

The Royals’ turnaround coincided with an increased focus on starting pitching. Quatraro strategized with pitching coaches Brian Sweeney and Zach Bove to revamp the starting rotation.

Quatraro relied on veteran starters Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha to headline the unit. The group registered a combined 3.55 ERA, which was second in the AL. Lugo and lefty starter Cole Ragans earned their first All-Star selections.

Wacha re-signed with the club after posting a 3.35 ERA in 29 starts.

The starters were buoyed by better offensive production. Royals stars Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez each produced 100-RBI seasons. Witt recorded a second consecutive 30-30 campaign and is a finalist for the 2024 AL MVP Award.

Quatraro managed the Royals to three postseason victories. The club swept the Baltimore Orioles in the AL Wild Card Round before falling to the New York Yankees in the ALDS.

The Royals finished the season ranked 10th in batting average and eighth in team ERA in MLB.

Quatraro will look to take the Royals deeper into the playoffs in his third season. The club finished second in the AL Central and will return a core group including Witt, Lugo, Ragans, Wacha and Perez.

Former Royals skipper Tony Pena remains the organization’s lone AL Manager of the Year. He took home the award following the 2003 season.