Bobby Witt Jr.: Professional Baseball Shortstop and Third Baseman for the Kansas City Royals - Stats, Bio, Contracts & more

Bobby Witt Jr. is an American professional baseball shortstop and third baseman for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was selected second overall by the Royals in the 2019 MLB draft and made his MLB debut in 2022.

Witt Jr. was born in Colleyville, Texas, and attended Colleyville Heritage High School, where he was a standout baseball player. He was named the Gatorade National High School Baseball Player of the Year in 2019. After high school, Witt Jr. signed with the Royals and began his professional career in the minor leagues.

Details about Bobby Witt Jr.’s Background:

Name: Bobby Witt Jr.
Position: Shortstop, Third Baseman
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 200 lbs
Team: Kansas City Royals
Age: 23
Nationality: American
Previous Clubs: None

Witt Jr. made his MLB debut on April 7, 2022, at the age of 21. He had a solid rookie season, hitting .290 with 20 home runs and 80 RBIs in 150 games. He was also a Gold Glove finalist at shortstop.

Witt Jr. is considered one of the most promising young players in baseball. He is a five-tool player with excellent speed, power, and fielding ability. He is also a switch-hitter, which gives him an advantage in the batter’s box.

Witt Jr. is expected to be a key player for the Royals for many years to come. He is a part of a young core of players that the Royals are hoping will lead them back to the playoffs in the near future.

Strengths & Weaknesses of Bobby Witt Jr.:

Bobby Witt Jr. is a talented and versatile player who can play both shortstop and third base for the Kansas City Royals. Here are some of his strengths and weaknesses on the field:

He has a powerful and accurate arm that allows him to make difficult throws from any position. He was clocked at 95 mph as a pitcher in high school.
He has a quick and smooth swing that generates a lot of bat speed and exit velocity. He can hit for both average and power, as he has shown in his rookie season with 29 home runs and a .278 batting average.
He has speed and agility on the bases, as well as on defense. He has stolen 48 bases in 2023, leading the American League. He also has great range and instincts at shortstop, making highlight-reel plays regularly.
He sometimes struggles with plate discipline and strike zone recognition, leading to high strikeout rates and low walk rates. He has struck out 135 times and walked only 37 times in 2023.
He can be inconsistent at times, going through hot and cold streaks. He has had some slumps in his rookie season, such as hitting .200 in July and .224 in August.
He is still learning how to play third base, as he only started practicing the position in 2022 spring training. He has made some errors and misplays at the hot corner, especially on bunts and slow rollers.

Tactical Role of Bobby Witt Jr.:

Witt’s tactical role within the team is to be a dynamic and impactful player who can contribute in multiple ways. He usually bats second or third in the lineup, providing a combination of speed and power that puts pressure on the opposing pitchers. He can hit to all fields, drive in runs, and score runs with his baserunning skills. On defense, he can play both shortstop and third base, depending on the situation and the matchup. He can make plays that save runs and prevent extra bases, as well as start or turn double plays. He is a key part of the Royals’ young core that aims to compete for championships in the near future.

Hobbies & Interests of Bobby Witt Jr.:

Bobby Witt Jr. is not only a talented baseball player, but also a person with diverse hobbies and interests. Here are some of them:

He enjoys fishing and hunting in his spare time, especially with his father and grandfather. He has caught some big fish, such as a 10-pound bass and a 40-inch redfish.
He is a fan of country music and likes to listen to artists such as Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, and Jason Aldean. He also plays the guitar and sings along to his favorite songs.
He likes to watch movies and TV shows, especially comedies and action thrillers. Some of his favorites are The Hangover, Step Brothers, The Office, and Breaking Bad.
He is interested in history and politics, and likes to learn about different cultures and countries. He has traveled to Panama, South Korea, Japan, and Canada for baseball tournaments.
He is a devout Christian and attends church regularly. He also reads the Bible every day and prays before every game.

Net worth of Bobby Witt Jr.:

Bobby Witt Jr. has an estimated net worth of more than $5 million. He has accumulated most of his net worth through his successful career as a professional baseball player. Bobby signed a $7.79 million contract with the Kansas City Royals in 2019, after being selected second overall in the MLB draft. However, he started playing in the minor leagues for the Arizona League Royals and earned a base salary of $745,750 in 2022, when he made his MLB debut. His salary for 2023 has not been disclosed yet, but it is expected to be higher than his previous year.

Personal life of Bobby Witt Jr.:

Bobby Witt Jr. is not a single man. He has been in a relationship with his high school sweetheart, Maggie Black, for several years. He often features his girlfriend on social media and shares photos of their travels and adventures. Maggie plays softball for Northwestern State University and is studying to become a nurse. Bobby and Maggie have not married yet and do not have any children. They are focused on their careers and supporting each other.

Family of Bobby Witt Jr.:

Bobby Witt Jr. was born on June 14, 2000, in Colleyville, Texas, to Bobby Witt Sr. and Laurie Witt. He is the youngest of four children and has three older sisters: Shaley, Kiki, and Nikki. His father is a former professional baseball pitcher who played for 16 seasons in the MLB for various teams, including the Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, and Florida Marlins. His father is also his agent and advisor. His mother and sisters were athletes as well. Nikki Witt Russell is married to James Russell, another baseball player who played in the MLB for seven seasons.

Height of Bobby Witt Jr.:

Bobby Witt Jr. is 6 feet 1 inch (1.86 meters) tall and weighs 200 pounds (91 kilograms). He has blond hair and brown eyes. He wears number 7 on his jersey.

Contracts of Bobby Witt Jr.:

Bobby Witt Jr. signed a one-year contract worth $745,750 with the Kansas City Royals for the 2022 season, with $745,750 guaranteed and a $745,750 average annual salary. This was his first major league contract after being drafted by the Royals in 2019. He had previously signed a $7.79 million contract with the Royals as a draft pick, which included a $7.79 million signing bonus. His contract for 2023 has not been announced yet, but he is eligible for arbitration in 2025 and free agency in 2028.

Brands Associated:

Bobby Witt Jr. has not endorsed any major brands or products yet, but he has been featured on several baseball cards and collectibles by Topps, Highland Mint, and Fanatics Authentic. He also wears Nike apparel and shoes on the field.

Teams with Bobby Witt Jr. played:

Bobby Witt Jr. has played for the following teams in his baseball career:

Colleyville Heritage High School (2016-2019)
Team USA U-18 (2018)
Arizona League Royals (2019)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals (2021)
Omaha Storm Chasers (2021)
Kansas City Royals (2022-present)

Awards & Achievements of Bobby Witt Jr.:

Bobby Witt Jr. has had a remarkable career so far, both as an amateur and a professional baseball player. Here are some of his career highlights:

He was the second overall pick in the 2019 MLB draft by the Kansas City Royals, becoming the seventh father-son duo to both be first-round draft picks.
He was named the Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year in 2019, after batting .515 with 15 home runs, 54 RBIs, and 17 stolen bases in his senior year at Colleyville Heritage High School.
He won the High School Home Run Derby at Nationals Park in 2018, defeating Rece Hinds in the final round.
He played for Team USA in the 2018 COPABE Pan-American Championships in Panama City, helping Team USA win a gold medal. He hit for the cycle in the gold-medal game against Panama and batted .576 with three homers in nine games.
He was selected to play in the All-Star Futures Game at Coors Field in 2021, representing the American League team.
He was awarded both the USA Today Minor League Player of the Year Award and the Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year Award in 2021, after hitting 33 home runs and stealing 29 bases between Double-A and Triple-A .
He made his MLB debut on April 7, 2022, and hit a game-winning double in the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers.
He hit his first MLB home run on May 3, 2022, off Dakota Hudson of the St. Louis Cardinals at Kauffman Stadium.
He became the fifth first-year player in MLB history and the fifth player in Royals history to hit 20 homers and steal 20 bases in a season on September 3, 2022.
He is currently leading the American League with 48 stolen bases and is second with 49 home runs as of September 15, 2023.

Year	Team	Games	At Bats	Runs	Hits	Home Runs	RBIs	Stolen Bases	Batting Average
2019	AZL Royals	37	164	27	43	1	27	9	.262
2021	NW Arkansas Naturals	60	233	46	68	16	50	14	.292
	Omaha Storm Chasers	62	240	48	68	17	46	15	.283
	Total	122	473	94	136	33	96	29	.287
2022	Kansas City Royals	152	589	105	156	30	101	31	.265
2023	Kansas City Royals	144	547	112	145	49	168	48	.266
Total		455	1773	338	480	113	392	117	.271

Awards & Achievements of Bobby Witt Jr.

Scouting Report of Bobby Witt Jr.:

Tool	Grade	Description
Hit	60	Witt has a quick and smooth swing that generates a lot of bat speed and exit velocity. He can hit for both average and power, as he has shown in his rookie season with 29 home runs and a .278 batting average. He has improved his plate discipline and strike zone recognition, but still strikes out more than he walks. He shows good barrel control and the ability to use the whole field.
Power	60	Witt has plus raw power, especially to the pull side. He can hit the ball out of any park with ease, as he has demonstrated with his 49 home runs in 2023, second in the American League. He has also increased his launch angle and fly ball rate, which helps him tap into his power more consistently. He has the potential to be a 40-homer hitter in his prime.
Run	60	Witt is a plus runner who can impact the game on the bases. He has stolen 48 bases in 2023, leading the American League. He has good instincts and aggressiveness on the basepaths, taking extra bases whenever possible. He also uses his speed to beat out infield hits and stretch singles into doubles.
Arm	60	Witt has a plus arm that allows him to make difficult throws from any position. He was clocked at 95 mph as a pitcher in high school. He has good accuracy and mechanics, throwing on target with carry through the bag. He can throw on the run and from different angles, making him versatile on defense.
Field	60	Witt is an above-average defender who can play both shortstop and third base. He has great range and instincts, making highlight-reel plays regularly. He has soft hands and a quick transfer and release. He makes the routine play and more, showing good body control and footwork. He is still learning how to play third base, but he has the tools to excel there as well.

Scouting Report of Bobby Witt Jr.

Bobby Witt Jr. is one of the most exciting and talented players in baseball today. He has above-average to plus potential with all five tools, making him a rare and valuable commodity. He is an impact player who can contribute in multiple ways, both offensively and defensively. He is a key part of the Royals’ young core that aims to compete for championships in the near future. He has already established himself as one of the best players in the game, and he still has room to improve and grow. Bobby Witt Jr. is a superstar in the making.

FAQs about Bobby Witt Jr.:

How old is Bobby Witt Jr.?

Bobby Witt Jr. is 23 years old as of 2023. He was born on June 14, 2000, in Colleyville, Texas.

Who are Bobby Witt Jr.’s parents?

Bobby Witt Jr.’s parents are Bobby Witt Sr. and Laurie Witt. His father is a former professional baseball pitcher who played for 16 seasons in the MLB for various teams, including the Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, and Florida Marlins. His mother and sisters were athletes as well.

What college did Bobby Witt Jr. attend?

Bobby Witt Jr. attended the University of Oklahoma, where he played college baseball for the Sooners. However, he did not play any games for them as he signed with the Kansas City Royals after being drafted second overall in the 2019 MLB draft.

What are Bobby Witt Jr.’s hobbies and interests?

Bobby Witt Jr. has diverse hobbies and interests, such as fishing, hunting, country music, guitar, movies, TV shows, history, politics, and Christianity. He enjoys spending time with his family, friends, and girlfriend.

What are Bobby Witt Jr.’s career statistics?

Bobby Witt Jr. has played for the Kansas City Royals since 2022, after playing in the minor leagues for the Arizona League Royals, Northwest Arkansas Naturals, and Omaha Storm Chasers. As of September 15, 2023, he has a career batting average of .271 with 113 home runs, 392 RBIs, and 117 stolen bases in 455 games. He has also won several awards and honors, such as the USA Today Minor League Player of the Year Award and the Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year Award in 2021.