Bobby Witt Jr. propels himself into MVP conversation

Throughout Major League Baseball history, few stories are as exhilarating as a young star propelling a team from mediocrity to postseason contention. For the Kansas City Royals, 23-year-old Bobby Witt Jr. has become that transformative player.

Since his debut in 2022, Witt has been instrumental in accelerating the Royals' rebuild, positioning them as legitimate contenders for the 2024 postseason. Per Fangraphs, the Royals (34-22) have a 62.9% chance of making the playoffs entering play Wednesday.

As a top prospect, the expectations were high for Witt, but he has surpassed them with ease.

Offensively, his ability to hit for power and average, combined with his speed on the bases, has made him a versatile threat. In 2023, he showcased his prowess, belting 30 home runs and a league-leading 11 triples and stealing 49 bases.

Witt has carried that momentum into 2024. As of Wednesday, DraftKings has Witt second in MVP odds, behind Yankees outfielder Juan Soto.

For the week of May 20-26, Witt was named American League Player of the Week after hitting .385 (10-for-26) with two doubles, four home runs and 11 RBI. In that span, his 24 total bases were tied for most in the majors.

For the season, Witt has a stellar 3.4 bWAR, an OPS of .908, 16 stolen bases and 48 runs scored.

Witt’s defensive reliability at shortstop has also been crucial for the Royals. His defensive plays often turn into highlight reels, having a defensive run value among league leaders. His fielding range — currently in the 100th percentile — and quick reflexes have turned potential hits into outs, providing stability in the infield.