I'm gonna be the lone person saying this, I'm sure, but I honestly think the issue the Os had most of the season(with hitting) was the constant lineup changes and batting order. It felt like because they have a lot of young players they were trying to get all of them at bats and over time the hitters developed bad habits. Too many games where it wasn't the same lineup every time. Not sure all the blame can be thrown on Hyde. This is the same guy that turned the team around and got them playing well. Starting pitching was a nightmare with all the ones hurt for the season. It all adds up and the Royals got hot at the right time.
Its a good team so don't throw in the towel. Shit, it took the Bats over a decade to get a WS and had much better seasons only to get stuffed in the playoffs thanks to the Cards and Phils.