A young star has come into his own in critical ways this season for the Kansas City Royals. With an already talented roster leading them to success this season, Bobby Witt Jr. has made his presence known both at the plate and in the field.
Having spent two full seasons with Kansas City, Witt has made a significantly large jump in 2024 in terms of production at the plate. While posting some of the best numbers of his career, his discipline in the batter’s box has led him to have a head-turning May. Because of his recent success, Witt’s numbers are in close comparison to some of the greatest talents in the league.
Will Witt continue this pace throughout the remainder of the season?
The Kansas City Phenom
Witt, just 23 years old, has played for the Royals since 2022. Since the beginning of his career, he has made a notable impact on his team. In 2022, Witt played in 150 games while batting .254 with an OPS of .722.
Following his debut season, Witt’s numbers continued to improve. In 2023, he raised his batting average to .276 while his WAR went from 0.9 to an impressive 4.4. As Kansas City noticed the positive trends from Witt, they wanted to keep him in the franchise for years to come. Before this season, Witt signed an 11-year deal, keeping him with the Royals for the majority of his career.
This season has been elite in new ways for the young shortstop. On the year so far, Witt is batting .315 with an OPS of .917. In his last 10 games, he has recorded 17 RBIs and 18 hits. This has been pivotal for Kansas City as the AL Central race heats up.
Witt’s Approach Brings Forth Success
Witt’s approach at the plate has been a big factor contributing to his success. In 2022 he registered 30 walks in 591 at-bats and 40 walks in 641 at-bats in 2023. In just 235 plate appearances, Witt has registered 20 walks already this season. This increased rate of walks showcases a new sense of discipline at the plate.
As he settles into his third year in the MLB, Witt is no longer the rookie he once was. He has honed in on his plate approach and become more selective on the pitches he sees. In the box, his pitch recognition has led him to get on base more often and put together quality at-bats. His approach at the plate is reminiscent of many talented veterans across the league.
In most categories, Witt is just behind Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge. He is third to them in extra-base hits. He leads the league in runs scored, with 51 total. As he continues to make an impact on his team and compete with the best in the league, the AL MVP race includes him at the forefront.
What’s Next for Kansas City?
As the season moves forward, the Royals are working to climb the ladder in their division. They are only four games back from the Cleveland Guardians and playing just under .600 baseball. Their record stands at a strong 35-24.
Not only has Witt made a great impact on this Kansas City team, but so have many other players. Production can be seen through elite players like Maikel Garcia, Vinnie Pasquantino, and Salvador Perez. Young and seasoned talent has made the Royals tough contenders in the American League.
The Royals will finish up a three-game series against the Padres tomorrow before heading to Cleveland to face the Guardians in a big divisional series next week.
About the Author
Rebekah Cook is a sports journalist from North Carolina who specializes in Major League Baseball. She is a recent graduate from the University of South Carolina Aiken where she worked in the athletic department covering all sports through her writing. An avid sports fan, Rebekah has played softball for 16 years, including at the collegiate level. Sports Journalism has been her passion for nearly 10 years.
