Top prospect Bobby Witt Jr.’s arrival in Kansas City a ‘special’ moment for Royals
As much as the Kansas City Royals might want to temper the hype and expectations swirling around top prospect Bobby Witt Jr. heading into his major-league debut in Thursday’s season opener, everyone realizes this is in all likelihood a benchmark moment for the franchise.
The baby-faced young man they selected second overall in the MLB Draft less than three full years ago as the best high school player in the country has now arrived at the doorstep of the Major Leagues with even more momentum behind his name and his game.
“It’s very special. It’s special for the game. It’s special for our city. It’s special for the history of the Royals,” Royals president of baseball operations Dayton Moore said on Wednesday following a team workout at Kauffman Stadium. “It’s very meaningful for our front office. You’ve heard me say many times, the majority of our group started as scouts and coaches. So we understand the evolution of player. We understand how difficult it is to make it to the major leagues.
Witt should start at third base and make his debut with the Royals on Thursday against Cleveland at Kauffman Stadium.
At 21 years, 297 days old, Witt will become the youngest position player in Royals history to make his major-league debut on Opening Day.
“Yes it’s a great celebration of Opening Day and the beginning of baseball in 2022, but it’s going to be extra special as we get to celebrate the debut of Bobby Witt Jr. because he’s a player that we’ve targeted for a long time,” Moore said. “To be able to select him and watch him develop and who he is as a person, and all of those things we’ve talked about for the last few years is now happening. We get to watch and be a part of the next part of his baseball journey.”
Rated the top prospect in professional baseball by MLBPipeline.com and having won Minor League Player of the Year honors from both Baseball America and USA Today last season, Witt already has a following among the baseball industry as well as the Kansas City fan base.
It’s undeniable. He hasn’t taken a swing or fielded a grounder yet in the majors, but he’s already captivated the minds of fans.
So far, the 21-year-old has taken it in stride with a smile and youthful enthusiasm.
“I’m ecstatic with it,” Witt said. “It’s awesome to see how the city comes together. You’ve seen it with the Chiefs, and in the past. It’s just incredible actually.
“I was in Starbucks this morning and a guy came up to me and took a selfie with me. I was like, ‘Wow! This is awesome.’ I love it. I’m super-excited. The fans are awesome. This is why we play the game. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Royals manager Mike Matheny said of the attention that has come and will continue to go Witt’s direction, “He’s earned that. That’s a gift.”
Matheny also said that it will be up to other players on the major-league club to “watchdog” Witt and hold him to their standards both on and off the field.
“I believe that’s truly what’s most unique about him,” Matheny said of Witt’s character. “His skill set is pretty unique, but none of that is going to automatically transfer here. He’s going to have to continue to work. … I think a lot of it is just the accountability of surrounding yourself with people. He has done and his family have done a very, very good job of investing into him as a person and a player.”
Witt seemingly hasn’t made one misstep thus far in his short professional career.
His performance has been elite. All indications have been that his behavior has been polite and respectful with humility and affability. He gives off an innocence and a passion for the game that seem as genuine as imaginable.
Even the veteran players appear to have taken a shine to him early on in his time around them.
Several were in the room when Witt learned he’d made the roster, including veteran team leaders Salvador Perez and Whit Merrifield.
Afterward, Witt spoke appreciatively of their presence for that moment and described it as them having welcomed him with open arms to “their team.”
Perhaps most importantly, Witt doesn’t seem afraid of the looming specter of failure.
Baseball forces failure upon its individual participants as frequently and often as harshly as any major sport.
“I think it’s one of the best things for you, honestly, because you learn from your mistakes,” Witt said. “You’ve got to fail for you to learn from that.”
He even provides perfect answers about failure.
Moore cautioned that there will be an adjustment period as Witt faces the best pitchers he’s seen in his life on a daily basis.
Moore also said KC fans have seen past examples of young highly touted players going through those growing pains in the past. He cited the example of Alex Gordon, the last Royals’ prospect to carry as much anticipation and expectation as Witt.
The bumps in the road will be a necessary part of the journey, as far as Moore is concerned.
“We need him to face some of those challenges and ups and downs,” Moore said. “That’s ultimately what’s going to grow him and mature him into a consistent All-Star type talent.”
