Bobby Witt Jr. is once again at the center of the Royals’ awards picture, and this fall could add another layer to a season that already looked like a showcase.
The Kansas City shortstop is up for his third straight American League Gold Glove at shortstop, with winners set to be announced live at 7:30 p.m. CT on ESPN on Sunday.
Witt is also in line for a potential third consecutive Silver Slugger at the position, with that award coming Nov. 17.
On top of that, he could land in the AL MVP race when that winner is revealed Nov. 12.
The finalist announcements begin before that. Silver Slugger finalists, along with the remaining BBWAA award finalists, will be unveiled between Nov. 6-12.
Witt’s year gave him a case on both sides of the ball. At shortstop in the AL, he led the position in batting average (.281), slugging percentage (.441), doubles (33) and stolen bases (45). He also finished among the top three shortstops in runs scored (94), hits (157) and OPS (.800).
Kansas City has more names in the mix beyond its star shortstop. Jac Caglianone is also a Silver Slugger candidate after posting a .289 batting average, .494 slugging percentage and .834 OPS in his second Major League season. Among AL outfielders, he ranked first in slugging, second in batting average and third in OPS.
Witt and Caglianone could also show up on the All-MLB First and Second Teams, along with catcher Carter Jensen and right-hander Michael Wacha. Those honors, which recognize the best performers at each position across both leagues, will be announced Nov. 11 during the MLB Awards show in Las Vegas.
The Gold Glove list has Royals representation all over it. Along with Witt, three other Kansas City infielders are finalists: first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino, second baseman Michael Massey and third baseman Nick Loftin.
Pasquantino finished second in the AL at first base with +7 defensive runs saved. Massey, who won a Minor League Gold Glove in 2021, is a first-time Major League finalist after putting up +11 outs above average, second among AL second basemen behind only New York’s Jazz Chisholm Jr.
(15). Loftin filled in more often at third while Maikel Garcia was injured, and he produced +6 defensive runs saved while also seeing time at second base and in right field.
Jensen’s rookie year also put him on the awards radar. He hit .239/.323/.467 with a .790 OPS and led the Royals with 27 home runs. Along the way, he broke several franchise and rookie catcher records, which gives him a possible AL Rookie of the Year case.
Wacha, a 2026 All-Star, could also draw down-ballot AL Cy Young votes after going 200 2/3 innings with a 3.32 ERA and 158 strikeouts.
The calendar also turns quickly after the World Series ends. On the first day after the Series, eligible players become free agents, and clubs can begin making trades. Kansas City’s potential free agents include Luke Maile, Jonathan India and Craig Kimbrel.
Then comes the fifth day after the World Series, at 4 p.m. CT, when the “quiet period” ends.
That is also the deadline for clubs to extend qualifying offers to eligible free agents, who can then start signing with any team. The Royals are not expected to extend a qualifying offer, but they will be active in the free-agent market.
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