The Royals’ season has gone sideways, but Bobby Witt Jr. keeps playing like the best version of himself. On Saturday, that production finally earned him a new line on the résumé: American League starting shortstop for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game.
Witt had already made the Midsummer Classic in 2024 and 2025, but both of those trips came as a reserve. This time, the vote broke his way. The 26-year-old will start in Philadelphia on July 14 after another huge first half at the plate and in the field.
After the announcement, Witt thanked the fans who helped push him into the starting spot.
Thank you to all the fans who voted for the All-Star Game! It’s an honor to represent the Royals and the AL in Philadelphia!
It was even more special to get the news on America 250. Grateful and proud!!
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The numbers explain the result. Witt is hitting .290/.362/.466 with 12 home runs and 20 doubles in 328 at-bats, and he also ranks second in MLB with 30 stolen bases. Statcast backs up the eye test, too: a 93.2 mph average exit velocity, a 52.8% hard-hit rate and a .310 xBA that sits in the 100th percentile.
He has also been a force defensively, flashing highlight-reel plays almost every night and piling up 17 Outs Above Average, the second-most in MLB.
For the Royals, Witt’s rise to All-Star starter feels like the natural next step after the way he has broken out over the past few seasons. He is now one of baseball’s premier players, and the starting nod only adds to a growing list of accomplishments.
Witt won’t be the only Royal in Philadelphia. Starting pitcher Michael Wacha was also selected, and he and Witt were the only Kansas City players named to this year’s All-Star Game.
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