Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. leads MLB in key defensive metric

Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.. Peter Aiken-Imagn Images

Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. leads MLB in key defensive metric

By Vanessa Serrao | Last updated Jun 2, 2026 10:39 PM ET

We're only in the middle stretch of the MLB season, and Kansas City Royals shortstop, Bobby Witt Jr. leads MLB with a 16 outs above average (OAA) at the beginning of June.

There are only four players including Witt Jr. who have reached 10 OAA so far this season. Behind Witt, is Pete Crow-Armstrong (12 OAA), Colson Montgomery (10 OAA) and JJ Wetherholt (10 OAA).

Witt's elite 16 OAA this season has been accomplished on account of his lightning-bolt sprint speed that ranks in the 100th percentile at 30.5 feet per second. His electric speed has permitted him to track down balls hit deep up the middle that the average defender can't reach.

He also possesses exceptional range and reliable arm strength (89.2 mph, 85th percentile) that demonstrates how he's able to make laser-beam accurate throws from deep in the hole at shortstop.

The only 4 players that have reached 10
OAA so far this year

Do you guys know how insane 16 OAA at the beginning of June is pic.twitter.com/qjFlUgnP5g
— AT (@BaseballWRLD_) June 2, 2026

Bobby Witt Jr.'s defense has been on display this season

His elite defense has had him commit only one error and two defensive misplays for the Royals this season. He also holds a 12 fielding run value that ranks him second in MLB, showcasing his elite ability with preventing runs from scoring.

His gleaming defense carries a significant factor in him holding a dominant WAR of 3.4 that ranks him fifth in MLB.

Witt is known for making game-saving defensive plays, and on May 16 against the St. Louis Cardinals, he executed a mastermind fake tag at third base to save a crucial run.

Following a relay throw that went past him and into the outfield, Witt caught the runner at third and put on a compelling fake tag that froze Ivan Herrera at third, stopping the Cardinals from scoring a run.

Bobby Witt Jr. deked Ivan Herrera to save a run pic.twitter.com/A0B3fQjsVH
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) May 16, 2026

Vanessa Serrao

Serrao is a freelance baseball writer who has covered all MLB teams, with particular expertise on the Toronto Blue Jays. She is a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.

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