Royals Announce Bobby Witt Jr. News After Fourth MLB Season

Witt had been selected as a finalist for the AL Gold Glove Award at shortstop alongside Corey Seager of the Texas Rangers and Taylor Walls of the Tampa Bay Rays. Witt edged past both and won the award on Sunday, according to Rawlings.

The Royals congratulated him on X. “Run it back, Jr.! Bobby Witt Jr. brings home his second consecutive Gold Glove Award!” the team wrote. The post included Witt's defensive highlights from 2025.

This marks the second straight year Witt has earned the honor. The Gold Glove is an annual award given to the best defensive player at each position since 1957. The numbers back up Witt’s case as one of the best defenders in baseball. According to Statcast’s Baseball Savant, he recorded 20 Fielding Run Value (FRV) and 24 Outs Above Average (OAA), both elite marks.

FRV measures how many runs a player saves on defense, factoring in range, arm strength and positioning. OAA focuses specifically on range and shows how many outs a fielder makes compared to the average player at his position. In simpler terms, Witt consistently made plays that most shortstops wouldn’t reach.

Witt continues to add accolades to his trophy case. He is one of the most complete players in the league and brings value in every phase of the game. Fortunately for Kansas City, he’s sticking around long-term, currently signed to an 11-year, $288.7 million contract extension. Witt has already earned two All-Star selections and a Silver Slugger Award in his four-year career. As he enters the offseason, his main goal for 2026 will be leading the Royals back to the postseason.