Royals’ Dayton Moore on what the MLB lockout means for top prospect Bobby Witt Jr.
As he works out in Arizona, Royals prospect Bobby Witt Jr. hasn’t had a chance to be around many of the players he called teammates in 2021.
First baseman Nick Pratto and Witt were roommates, and Witt played with catcher MJ Melendez, pitcher Jonathan Bowlan and outfielder Kyle Isbel at various points a year ago.
But those four are part of the Royals’ 40-man roster and were locked out by Major League Baseball after the collective bargaining agreement expired, so Witt will have to wait to see them in person.
Royals fans will have a wait, too. Any hopes of seeing Witt at Kauffman Stadium next month are on hold because of the lockout. But Witt will join other minor-league players when those games begin in April.
In a conference call Wednesday with reporters, Royals president of baseball operations Dayton Moore said he hopes Witt and the other minor-leaguers can keep their attention on the games and not who’s missing from the locker room.
“The important thing is for them just to stay focused and, and not be distracted,” Moore said. “Because when you step on that field, you’ve got a very small window of opportunity to get better.
“And when you step on the field one of two things is happening. You’re practicing good habits or you’re practicing bad habits. And you want to be really, really focused when you’re on the field so you can continue to get better.”
Moore believes competition and opportunity are the best tools for a player’s development.
That will happen when players take the field at Triple-A Omaha, Double-AA Northwest Arkansas, Class A Quad Cities and elsewhere.
“We’ve got to make sure that him and all of our players are at the right level competing against the very best competition their peer group has to offer,” Moore said of Witt. “And challenging them in ways that get them better.”
Witt, 21, already knows he can succeed at the highest levels of the minors.
In 65 games last year with the Storm Chasers, Witt batted .285 with 24 doubles and 17 home runs. That came after a torrid spell with the Naturals. It’s a big reason why he’s the Royals’ top prospect.
Moore said Witt will be given the chance to make the Royals’ roster when the lockout ends.
“He’s very talented and we’re going to give him that opportunity,” Moore said. “And he’s continued to do everything necessary to put himself in a position to make our team at some point in time, and so we’re very proud of him.
“He’s exciting to watch. He’s a terrific young man. You know, he’s somebody we all pull for, and we’re very, very proud of him.”
This story was originally published March 3, 2022 at 10:10 AM.
