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MLB Makes Major Bobby Witt Jr. Announcement Before Royals-Rays Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jake Elman | Last updated Jun 26, 2025 12:45 PM ET

Count Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. among the growing list of All-Stars who will represent Team USA in next year's World Baseball Classic.

Major League Baseball announced on Thursday that Witt, the reigning AL batting champion, will suit up for Team USA in next spring's WBC. The news came shortly before the Royals' afternoon showdown with the Tampa Bay Rays.

New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge and Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes previously committed to Team USA. Judge, who is on pace for his third AL MVP in four seasons, will serve as the captain.

The Witt family is all too familiar with representing the red, white, and blue in international play. Witt went 1-for-2 with an RBI during the 2023 WBC.

Shohei Ohtani and Team Japan defeated Mike Trout's Team USA squad in the championship.

Witt previously played on USA Baseball's U-18 team and won MVP at the 2018 Pan-American Championships. His father, Bobby Sr., helped Team USA to a silver medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics.

As for the younger Witt, he entered Thursday hitting .282 with 10 home runs, 40 RBI, and a .822 OPS for the 38-42 Royals. Witt not only leads the majors with 27 doubles, but he has also stolen 21 bases and posted a 3.7 bWAR.

The 2019 No. 2 overall pick, Witt is a lifetime .287 hitter with 92 home runs, 325 RBIs, 131 stolen bases, and a .838 OPS. He's in the second season of a seven-year, $148.7 million contract.

This story will be updated.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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