Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. has a special message written on the inside of his helmet
Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.’s name is all over the batting leaderboard.
Witt is second among all American League players in total bases, sixth in offensive wins above replacement, eighth in slugging percentage and tied for first in triples.
And no one in Major League Baseball has more total bases than Witt since the All-Star break. He has 103 and Dodgers star Mookie Betts is second (94).
Before Witt steps to the plate, he grabs his batting helmet and reads a message written inside it. They’re words he wrote as a reminder to himself:
See the ball
Stay loose
Be on time
“I’m always just kind of like trying to get in a good state of mind and everything,” Witt said, “so it’s just kind of a way to hit reset.”
That simple message isn’t why Witt has had a tremendous season. But it does help him focus before each plate appearance.
Although the Royals season has been one to forget, Witt has turned heads around the game. Last week, a quartet of MLB Network analysts debated which player is the best under the age of 23.
Bill Ripken made a case for Witt.
“Let me throw some biscuits out at at you,” Ripken said. “Last year, Bobby Witt was the only player in the game with 20 homers, 30 stolen bases, 80 RBIs, 80 runs scored.
“This year, he’s on pace for 30 (homers), 30 (stolen bases), hundo (100 RBIs), 90 runs scored. The last dude to do that, or the only guy to do that in the last 10 years, is (Cleveland’s) José Ramírez when you’re throwing those numbers into the mix. He’s doing stuff quietly that I don’t think people realize how good he actually is.”
Mark DeRosa added: “He impacts every facet of the game.”
Being compared to Ramírez shows just how good Witt has been this season.
This story was originally published August 28, 2023 at 12:00 PM.
