This should be the season top Kansas City Royals prospect Bobby Witt Jr. breaks into the Royals starting lineup.
Witt is the top prospect in the Royals organization.
Witt, who turned 21 in June, was the 1st round selection of the Kansas City Royals in the 2019 MLB First Year Player Draft. The second player drafted overall, Witt was chosen out of Colleyville Heritage High School in Colleyville, Texas.
Amazing Accomplishments:
Witt hit .500 in 38 games in his high school senior year. He hit 15 homers with 37 extra-base hits and had a 1.095 slugging percentage, escalating his draft stock.
As noted by SI.com, Witt graduated from Colleyville Heritage with a 4.0 weighted Grade Point Average.
In 2018, Witt won the High School Home Run Derby at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. The Derby was held during All Star Week. He hit eight homers in 76 seconds to introduce his power to baseball fans everywhere.
Named the 2019 Gatorade National Male Athlete of the Year, Witt had committed to play baseball at the University of Oklahoma, but he chose to sign with the Royals instead.
According to MLB.com, the Royals gave the right-handed hitting Witt a $7,789,900 signing bonus.
Witt’s father Bobby pitched for seven big league clubs. The elder Witt was the third overall pick of the 1985 draft, chosen by the Texas Rangers.
Many analysts consider the younger Witt to be the best overall current prospect player. He clearly carries some of the finest prospect evaluations entering the 2022 MLB season.
This scout’s evaluations of Witt are based upon observations from his play in spring training. He opened eyes last spring, and many thought Witt would be on the Royals opening day roster. That was not to be. Rather, he played his 2021 season at Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha, where Witt had a very good season.
Playing both shortstop and third base last season, Witt hit a combined .290/.361/.576/.936 in 564 plate appearances covering 123 games. He hit 33 home runs, and drove in 97 runs. He stole 29 bases in 40 attempts, and scored 99 runs. Witt struck out 131 times, and earned 51 walks.
Following last spring’s observations of Witt, this scout made the following scouting notes regarding his performances and abilities: “Quick hands through the ball, but has to improve pitch recognition and improve his approach on breaking balls. Uses lower-body very well. Can generate power. Has work to do on his swing. Inconsistent contact and strikeouts can be an issue. Very athletic with speed, good hands, and very solid baseball instincts. Fluid movements on defense. For now, he can stick at shortstop.”
Comments made in that initial scouting report regarding pitch recognition and trouble with breaking balls remain, and are reflected in his high strikeout total this past season. However, his contact rate is made less egregious due to his power potential.
As he was having a very good year, it was a surprise to this writer that Witt did not make his big league debut in last year’s 2021 season. That should change this spring.
As of now, fangraphs.com projects Witt to be the Royals opening day third baseman, with Nicky Lopez playing shortstop and Adalberto Mondesi at second base. Of course, over the course of spring training, those projections could change. In fact, it would not surprise to see Witt as the Royals opening day shortstop. He is very capable of winning that role.
Infield roles will likely be flexible during Royals spring training, with several players like Lopez, Mondesi and Witt all capable of playing multiple infield positions.
At 6-1, 200 pounds, Witt carries an almost ideally proportioned frame. There might be a slight chance for him to add additional strength and depth to his body.
To this scout, Witt is a true five-tool player. He has strong hands and wrists and brings enough power to become a substantial home run threat.
Kansas City is a tough home run park for a hitter, but Witt has enough strength to power the ball out of any park.
Appropriately aggressive, Witt continues to try to refine his hitting tool, using a more measured swing and better plate coverage. His hitting mechanics are appropriate, and he can use the entire field, taking pitches where they are thrown. While there is swing-and-miss to his game, Witt will be a power threat at the plate.
Witt has shown a capability to play above average defense. He can play shortstop, third base, and probably outfield positions with a strong arm, excellent speed, good range and quick hands.
The Royals have the luxury of using Witt where they need him on defense without losing quality. It is this scout’s opinion that Witt has enough natural ability to play shortstop at a high level for Kansas City. Internal competition and Witt’s adjustment to the big leagues will likely dictate his defensive role.
Given his father’s MLB background, Witt has a very solid knowledge of the game. His instincts, fine athletic ability, and positive attitude have gained high praise from scouts.
Conclusions:
Many analysts feel Bobby Witt Jr. is the best prospect on the cusp of making the big leagues in the 2022 season. While that is open for debate, there is little question in this scout’s mind that Witt has the capabilities for a long career as an impactful and consequential player.
On a Kansas City Royals club that will welcome his power as a rookie at the big league level, Witt may be challenged to hit breaking balls. However, that can be said for most prospects as they face the highest quality pitching after graduating to the parent club.
To this scout, Witt will likely be among the American League Rookie of the Year candidates.
The Kansas City Royals are looking to improve last season’s 74-88 American League Central Division record. They finished fourth in the division, 19 games behind the division leading Chicago White Sox.
Bobby Witt Jr. is the type of player that can add energy and power to a Royals lineup that will welcome the skills and spark he should be able to bring to their club.
