Estévez locks in as MLB's '25 saves leader, a rare feat in Royals history

WEST SACRAMENTO -- The Kansas City Royals franchise is in its 57th year, and only once before 2025 has it had an MLB saves leader.

Now there are two.

Carlos Estévez notched his 42nd save of the season on Saturday night in the Royals’ 4-2 win over the A’s at Sutter Health Park, locking in the 2025 MLB saves title as he enters Sunday’s season finale with a two-save lead over the Padres’ Robert Suarez.

Estévez joins Dan Quisenberry as the only Royals relievers to lead the Major Leagues in saves. Quisenberry tied for the lead in 1980 with 33 saves and led outright in ’83 with 45 saves. Estévez’s 42 saves are the most by a Royal since Greg Holland’s 46 in 2014.

“It means a lot,” Estévez said. “From the beginning, I wasn’t aiming for that. But now that it happened, it’s great. It’s great to know that this year, all the grind we went through, some good things came out of this year. And I’m just glad and happy I get to do that. I think every reliever will want to do that at least once in their career. But I’m just truly grateful and blessed.”

Estévez arrived at the ballpark Saturday and learned from manager Matt Quatraro that he had locked in the American League saves title with a three-game lead over Seattle’s Andrés Muñoz. That news was cool for Estévez, who has far surpassed his previous career high in saves (31) in his first year with the Royals.

But before Saturday’s game started, starter Cole Ragans informed Estévez that he was just one save away from being the MLB saves leader.

“I said, ‘That’s good. Let’s get it done tonight,’” Estévez said.

As if he willed it into existence, the Royals were in a tight game Saturday. They jumped out to a three-run lead over the A’s but saw it dwindle to one run when the bullpen took over following starter Michael Wacha’s six scoreless innings.

After Bobby Witt Jr. made a heads-up play by throwing Shea Langeliers out at third base, reliever Jonathan Bowlan entered to face Brent Rooker and got a massive double play to end the eighth inning. Witt gave the Royals an insurance run in the ninth, providing Estévez with a two-run lead to work with in the bottom of the frame.

Estévez hit Jacob Wilson in the ribs but struck out the next two batters. A flyout to the warning track in left field ended it.

“Little bit scary, that fly ball to left,” Vinnie Pasquantino said. “... [Estévez] was phenomenal all year.”

The Royals signed Estévez to a two-year, $22 million contract this offseason with a team option for 2027. They pivoted to pitching after failing to acquire an impact bat, instead opting to try to make the pitching staff the best it could be entering ’25.

Estévez has been everything they’ve asked for and more. He has a 2.45 ERA this season across 67 appearances (66 innings). He appeared in 48 save opportunities and locked in 42 of them, allowing Lucas Erceg to be the fireman and setup reliever for most of the year.

Those two anchored a Royals bullpen that ranks sixth best in the Majors this year with a 3.63 ERA.

“All the respect and the trust the coaching staff and front office put behind every single guy in here is just amazing,” Estévez said. “I’m grateful I got to a place like this in my career. Once you get that, the confidence they give you, it’s going to be hard to think something else.”

So much of the narrative from last year’s postseason run revolved around the type of players the Royals brought into their clubhouse in the offseason entering 2024. Adding veterans like Wacha and Seth Lugo changed the culture and raised the expectation for the organization.

Estévez fits right in line. He’s been a boost for the clubhouse, mentoring the Royals’ young relievers and showing them what it takes to be available, reliable and handle high-stress outings every time he takes the mound.

“He’s been one of the most impressive people I’ve been around,” Quatraro said. “Going back to that first Zoom call we had with him, and just his care and level of preparation for what he does, but also his care about the rest of the guys on the team. He’s very selfless.”

Estévez’s first season with Kansas City did not turn into a postseason run, but he’ll be back in ’26. And if he pitches like he did this year, likely ’27. The Royals want him pitching in October for them.

“He’s a true stopper out there,” Wacha said. “He’s got that knack for shutting the door.”