Royals Looking For Leadoff Hitter To Set The Table For Bobby Witt Jr.
Among non-leadoff hitters in 2024, Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., who hit second for the team, had the most plate appearances (433) with the bases empty. Witt still impressed with 109 RBI, 211 hits, 32 home runs and a .332 batting average, but the Royals are looking to prioritize quality contact and on-base percentage as they look for a new leadoff hitter this offseason. Royals hitters struck out at just a 19.4% clip (third-lowest in baseball) but also had a .306 on-base percentage (19th). Among players that KC might be looking at include Reds infielders Jonathan India and Spencer Steer and free agent Jurickson Profar. If the Royals explore the trade market, league sources suggest they would listen to offers for left-hander Kris Bubic and right-hander Alec Marsh.
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. went 2-for-5 with a pair of singles in Wednesday's 2-1 series-clinching win over the Orioles. The second of the singles was a grounder up the middle in the sixth inning that he was able to beat out, which scored the go-ahead run and would prove to be the eventual game-winning RBI. The 24-year-old finishes the two-game series 3-for-9 with a pair of RBI and will look to continue his MVP-caliber season in the next round against the Yankees. Gerrit Cole will start Game 1 for New York, whom Witt Jr. has gone 2-for-6 off of in his career.
Bobby Witt Jr. Makes History With 30-Homer, 30-Steal Season
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. had a historic evening in Tuesday's 3-1 extra-inning loss to the Tigers. Witt Jr. went 0-for-2 with three walks, a strikeout, and his 30th stolen base of the season. The 24-year-old now has 32 home runs and 30 stolen bases this season, his second consecutive season with at least 30 HR and 30 stolen bases. Only six shortstops in MLB history have ever recorded a 30-30 season and Witt Jr. is now the only shortstop to record multiple 30-30 seasons. He has provided everything for fantasy managers this season, slashing .331/.386/.598 with 123 runs scored and 108 RBI in 671 plate appearances. Witt Jr. has cemented himself as a top fantasy pick for the foreseeable future.
Bobby Witt Jr. Hits Grand Slam, Steals Base Monday
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. had another huge offensive game in Monday's 7-6 loss to the Tigers. Witt Jr. went 2-for-4 with a single, a grand slam, five RBI, and a stolen base. The 24-year-old jumped on a third-inning Reese Olson hanging curveball, sending it into the left-field seats for his 32nd long ball of the season. Witt Jr. has provided everything from a fantasy perspective this season, slashing .332/.384/.600 with 122 runs scored, 108 RBI, and 29 stolen bases in 666 plate appearances. His power, speed, and batting average were never in question, but Witt Jr.'s additional counting stats have benefited all season long from the Royals' overall offensive performance.
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (finger) is starting at shortstop and hitting in the two-hole on Wednesday versus the division-rival Cleveland Guardians and right-hander Tanner Bibee at Progressive Field for the series finale with sole possession of the American League Central lead on the line. Witt was hit on the right middle finger in Tuesday's win during a hit-by-pitch in the seventh inning, but strength tests checked out fine, according to manager Matt Quatraro. The All-Star shortstop stayed in the game and seemed OK, and post-game X-rays came back negative. The 24-year-old is in the running for AL MVP this year with how amazing he's been. The matchup isn't great on Wednesday, but Witt is a must-start in all single-year fantasy formats. He currently leads the league in batting average (.346), runs (113) and hits (183) while homering 27 times, driving in 94 and stealing 27 bases in 133 games.
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. did his part at the plate in Monday's Game 1 4-3 win over the Guardians. Witt Jr. went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk, and a stolen base. The 24-year-old put the Royals ahead for good in the eighth inning, lining a Hunter Gaddis slider into the left-center seats. Witt Jr. has exceeded expectations in batting average and slugging percentage this season, slashing .347/.399/.615 with 27 HR, 113 runs scored, 94 RBI, and 27 stolen bases in 582 plate appearances. He should continue to be a top fantasy option down the stretch, especially with the Royals playing strong baseball overall.
Bobby Witt Jr. Homers, Scores Three Times On Friday
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. went 3-for-4 with a double, a home run, and three runs scored in Friday's 7-1 win over the Reds. The homer put him in the 25/25 club for the second consecutive season, and the 24-year-old has now collected at least one hit in 39 of his last 43 games dating back to June 24. The former second-overall pick has slashed .429/.476/.792 over that stretch, and if not for Aaron Judge then he would be leading the MVP race. With 40 games to go, Witt could also attain a second consecutive 30/30 season as well.
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. had a productive day in his team's 4-1 win over the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday. Witt went 2-for-4 with a solo homer and a walk in the winning effort. The star shortstop's homer in the third inning gave the Royals a 2-1 lead, a blast that traveled 398 feet with an exit velocity of 103.9 MPH. Witt has been dominant at the plate this season, hitting .349 with 24 homers, 102 runs, 89 RBI, and 25 steals over 482 at-bats, putting him in must-start territory for fantasy gamers.
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (forearm) is starting at shortstop and is hitting second on Tuesday against the hosting division-rival Minnesota Twins and rookie right-hander Zebby Matthews, who is making his big-league debut. Witt underwent tests after Monday's series opener versus the Twins after being hit by a pitch on his left forearm, but everything checked out fine and he's good to go for Game 2 of the series. The 24-year-old needs to be in all fantasy lineups as one of the best all-around players in the game in only his third MLB season. Witt currently leads the league in batting average (.347), games played (119), runs scored (101) and hits (165) while adding 23 homers, 88 RBI and 25 stolen bases in 524 plate appearances. The kid is an absolute beast.
Bobby Witt Jr. Undergoes Tests After Being Hit By Pitch
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (forearm, wrist) was hit by a pitch in the forearm/wrist area of his left arm in Monday's 8-3 loss to the hosting division-rival Minnesota Twins, but he said it hit his shoulder first. Witt has a bone bruise and underwent some tests after the game. "I think the loss hurts more than the hit by pitch," Witt said. The 24-year-old superstar stayed in for the duration of the game and finished 1-for-3 with a solo home run, his 23rd of the season. He's now hitting a league-leading .347 on the season with a 1.003 OPS, 23 homers, 88 RBI, 25 stolen bases and a league-leading 101 runs scored in 119 games played in his third year in the majors. It's possible that Witt could be rested on Tuesday, but it sounds like he avoided a long-term injury. Witt also leads the league with 165 hits.
Bobby Witt Jr.
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Royals
