In today's world, Bobby Witt Jr. has become a topic of great relevance, its implications are as diverse as they are influential in contemporary society. From its impact on the economy to its impact on popular culture, Bobby Witt Jr. has gained unprecedented prominence in the global sphere. Over the years, it has aroused the interest of both academics and experts and the general population, generating a constant debate that seeks to understand its multiple facets and consequences. In this article, we will explore in detail the different dimensions of Bobby Witt Jr. and its impact in different areas, providing a broad and complete view of its importance today.
Witt was considered one of the top prospects for the 2019 Major League Baseball draft. He was selected by the Kansas City Royals with the second overall pick. Forgoing his commitment to Oklahoma, he signed with the Royals for $7.79 million and made his professional debut with the Rookie-levelArizona League Royals. Over 37 games, he batted .262/.317/.354 with one home run, 27 RBIs, and nine stolen bases in 10 attempts.
Witt began practicing at third base during 2022 spring training. On April 5, 2022, the Royals announced that Witt had made the Opening Day roster. He made his MLB debut on Opening Day on April 7 as the Royals' starting third baseman. Witt hit his first major league home run on May 3 against the St. Louis Cardinals. In a game against the Detroit Tigers on September 3, he hit his 20th home run of the season, making him the fifth player in MLB history to join the 20-20 club in their first season.
In 2022 he batted .254/.294/.428 in 591 at bats, with 82 runs, 6 triples (4th in the AL), 20 home runs, 80 RBIs, and 30 steals (4th) in 37 attempts, and was the 10th-youngest player in the AL. He is tied for the fastest sprint speed in the majors with Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz, at 30.4 feet per second.
Witt played for the United States national baseball team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. In 2023, Witt batted .276/.319/.495 with 30 home runs, 96 RBIs, and a league-leading 49 stolen bases. He led the major leagues with 11 triples, and became the first player in MLB history to record 30 home runs, 10 triples, and 45 stolen bases in one season. He also became the first Kansas City Royals player to reach the 30–30 club.
On February 5, 2024, Witt signed an 11-year, $288.7 million contract extension with the Royals, the largest contract in franchise history. The contract includes opt-out options after years seven, eight, nine, and ten, as well as a three-year club option following the eleventh season.
Personal life
Witt's father, Bobby Witt, played parts of 16 seasons as a pitcher in MLB. Bobby Sr. is a player agent with Octagon Baseball and is his son's advisor.
Outside of baseball, Witt has an endorsement deal with Whataburger, the San Antonio, Texas-based restaurant which also has several locations in the Kansas City area.