Fastball

Kansas City Royals' Star Doing Things No Other Player is Doing in Early Going

The Kansas City Royals spent a lot of money this offseason to be a better ballclub, but the guy who is carrying them is homegrown star Bobby Witt Jr. The young shortstop is already doing things that no one else is doing this year and he could be on the verge of becoming an All-Star and MVP candidate.

Brady Farkas

Apr 4, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) in the
Apr 4, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) in the / Peter Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
In this story:

The Kansas City Royals are out to a 4-4 start this season as they look to make massive improvements in 2024.

After finishing with the second-worst record in the American League last season, Kansas City spent over $100 million in free agency to bring in reinforcements with the hope of turning the franchise around.

However, for all the money they spent on the outside, the best money spent was likely on extending superstar Bobby Witt Jr. The homegrown stud signed a massive contract extension this offseason that will keep him in Kansas City for at least the next seven seasons, and thus far the Royals are being rewarded.

Through just the first week and change of the season, Witt Jr. is doing things that no one else in baseball is doing, according to Sarah Langs of MLB.com:

Bobby Witt Jr. leads MLB with nine batted balls at 110+ mph

nobody else has more than 5 (Soto, Ohtani)

Witt had 21 batted balls at 110+ mph last season. it’s April 5.

The goal of hitting these days is to just hit the ball as hard as possible, and Witt Jr. is doing just that. One of the most electric players in the league already, the 23-year-old is hitting .375 in the early going with two homers, two RBI and two steals. He's coming off a season in which he hit .276 with 30 homers, 96 RBI and 49 steals.

As long as he stays healthy, this seems like the year that Witt Jr. will be an All-Star and could find himself near the top of the MVP voting.

Follow Fastball on FanNation on social media

Continue to follow our Fastball on FanNation coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter @FastballFN.

Published
Brady Farkas
BRADY FARKAS

Brady Farkas is a baseball writer for Fastball on Sports Illustrated/FanNation and the host of 'The Payoff Pitch' podcast which can be found on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Videos on baseball also posted to YouTube. Brady has spent nearly a decade in sports talk radio and is a graduate of Oswego State University. You can follow him on Twitter @WDEVRadioBrady. 

Home/History