Bobby Witt Jr. vs. Jacob Wilson: Stage is set for MLB All-Star roster showdown

Last season, Kansas City Royals superstar Bobby Witt Jr. rose above the crowded field of talented shortstops, posting the best numbers of any one at his position and achieving an elite status. Witt finished his lauded 2024 campaign hitting .332/.389/.588 with 32 home runs and 31 stolen bases, winning a Gold Glove in the process. Both his .332 batting average and 211 hits led MLB. If it hadn’t been for the offensive force of nature known as Aaron Judge, Witt would’ve walked away with the American League MVP award.

This year, Witt is well on his way to posting another stellar season, only this time, he’s not alone at the top of his class. A’s shortstop Jacob Wilson, a clear AL Rookie of the Year favorite, has broken out in spectacular fashion. Wilson’s emergence begs the question: Is Witt still MLB’s best shortstop? 

Although we don't have a full season's worth of data on Wilson, it is a debate that will take center stage as the MLB All-Star voting gets underway. While All-Star voting is never the most accurate player comparison, it’s a valid measurement of their performance over a snapshot in time.

In the last MLB All-Star season, Witt fell just short of landing the starting AL shortstop job, losing to Gunnar Henderson. Henderson’s performance at the time was on-par with Witt’s; however, his stunning power gave him the edge over Witt’s batting average.

That brings us to this snapshot in time. If the All-Star voting started and ended today, who would win the starting spot in the AL: Witt or Wilson? Let’s go over the stats (all advanced metrics provided by FanGraphs): 

This debate certainly won’t be determined by either contender’s home run totals as each have five. Witt is clearly the better defender, leading all shortstops in defensive WAR, and he makes more of his opportunities on the basepaths with 2.7 baserunning runs above average. He also leads Wilson in slugging percentage having collected more extra-base hits. Wilson, who’s strikeout-to-walk ratio stands at one (10 walks, 10 strikeouts), has been more proficient in contact hitting and getting on base.

Right now, this soon-to-be All-Star roster battle is more or less a coin toss. Given last year’s performance, one would be more inclined to predict a starting roster spot for Witt. But when comparing both players now, neither truly has an upper hand. Still, we’ve got a long way to go before the Summer Classic, and anything could happen. 

Thus far, both players are looking like All-Stars. Should they continue on their trajectories, this roster battle will be a story to keep an eye on.