The Kansas City Royals find themselves in an enviable position, thanks to the exceptional talent of shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. Historically, the Royals have seen standout performances from players like Alex Gordon and Joakim Soria. However, having someone consistently in the conversation as one of the best in baseball is a rare luxury.
Bobby Witt Jr. is making waves, and ESPN's latest positional rankings highlight his dominance. In Buster Olney’s recent top 10 list for shortstops, Witt emerged as the frontrunner. Shortstop is a position that demands defensive prowess, but today's game also requires offensive firepower, and Witt delivers on both fronts.
Olney describes this era as the “golden age of shortstops,” drawing parallels to the importance of a quarterback in football. Just as the Chiefs have their star QB, the Royals have their franchise cornerstone in Witt.
Witt’s performance speaks volumes. Even in what he humorously referred to as a down year, he finished fourth in AL MVP voting, led the league in hits, and posted an impressive .852 OPS. Following his record-breaking 2024 season was no small feat, yet Witt made it look effortless.
Royals president of baseball operations, J.J. Picollo, who secured Witt with the largest contract in franchise history, praised his relentless drive to improve.
Picollo noted Witt’s exceptional self-care and commitment, emphasizing the Royals' focus on keeping him fresh and strong throughout the season. Witt’s base-stealing skills, while always a topic of refinement, already mark him as an outstanding baserunner.
Royals fans are well aware of Witt’s significance to the team’s present and future, especially with his contract options extending to 2030. Witt has firmly established himself as Kansas City’s standout player, and now the national spotlight is acknowledging him as the benchmark for shortstops.
It’s refreshing when the broader baseball community recognizes what Royals fans have known all along: Bobby Witt Jr. is something special.