Bobby Witt Jr. is a highly anticipated baseball prospect who has been making waves in the minor leagues with his impressive skills and performance.
As the second overall pick in the 2019 MLB draft by the Kansas City Royals, Witt Jr. has been closely watched by both Royals fans and baseball enthusiasts.
In this blog, we will take a closer look at Witt Jr.’s background, skills, 2021 performance, and potential future in the major leagues to evaluate just how good he really is.
Bobby Witt Jr.’s Background
Bobby Witt Jr. was born on June 14, 2000, in Colleyville, Texas. His father, Bobby Witt, was a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for 16 seasons with various teams including the Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, and Florida Marlins.
Witt Jr. grew up around the game of baseball, attending his father’s games and learning from his experience.
His Draft by the Kansas City Royals
In 2019, the Kansas City Royals selected Bobby Witt Jr. as the second overall pick in the MLB draft. Witt Jr. was highly regarded as a top prospect in the draft, and the Royals were thrilled to have the opportunity to select him.
Witt Jr. signed a contract with the Royals with a signing bonus of $7.79 million, which was the highest bonus ever given to a position player in MLB draft history at the time.
His Time in the Minors
After signing with the Royals, Witt Jr. began his professional career in the minor leagues. He played for the Royals’ rookie league team in Idaho Falls before being promoted to Class-A Lexington in 2020.
In 2021, Witt Jr. began the season at Double-A Northwest Arkansas, where he dominated with a .295 batting average, 16 home runs, and 16 stolen bases in just 61 games.
He was then promoted to Triple-A Omaha, where he continued to excel with a .270 batting average, 17 home runs, and 13 stolen bases in 47 games.
Overall, Witt Jr. has impressed with his performance in the minor leagues and has quickly risen through the ranks of the Royals’ system.
Witt Jr.’s Skills and Strengths
Witt Jr.’s Defensive Skills
Witt Jr. is known for his exceptional defensive skills, particularly his range and arm strength at shortstop. He has quick reflexes and excellent footwork, which allows him to make difficult plays with ease.
Witt Jr. also has good instincts and is able to read the ball well off the bat, which helps him to position himself properly on the field. His defensive abilities have been compared to those of former All-Star shortstop Andrelton Simmons.
Witt Jr.’s Offensive Skills
Offensively, Witt Jr. has shown the ability to hit for both power and average. He has a smooth and quick swing, and his bat speed allows him to generate a lot of power. He has a good eye at the plate, with the ability to work counts and draw walks.
Witt Jr. also has good plate discipline, rarely swinging at pitches outside the strike zone. His offensive performance has been impressive in the minor leagues, with a .290 batting average, .361 on-base percentage, and .576 slugging percentage in 2021.
Witt Jr.’s Stolen Base Ability
Witt Jr. is also an excellent baserunner with great speed and instincts. He has stolen 29 bases in the minor leagues in 2021, demonstrating his ability to read pitchers and get good jumps off the bag.
Witt Jr. is a threat on the basepaths and has the potential to be a 20-30 stolen base player in the major leagues.
Witt Jr.’s 2021 Performance
Witt Jr.’s statistics from the 2021 minor league season are impressive. In 108 games across Double-A and Triple-A, he hit .290/.361/.576 with 33 home runs, 88 RBI, 107 runs scored, and 29 stolen bases. He also had a walk rate of 9.8% and a strikeout rate of 27.2%.
Witt Jr.’s Performance in Both Aa and Aaa Levels
Witt Jr. began the 2021 season with Double-A Northwest Arkansas, where he dominated with a .295 batting average, 16 home runs, and 16 stolen bases in just 61 games.
He was then promoted to Triple-A Omaha, where he continued to excel with a .270 batting average, 17 home runs, and 13 stolen bases in 47 games.
Witt Jr.’s performance in both leagues was impressive, and he showed no signs of slowing down as he moved up the ranks.
Comparison of Witt Jr.’s Performance With Other Prospects
Witt Jr.’s performance in 2021 compared favorably to other top prospects in the minor leagues. He was ranked as the No. 6 prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline at the end of the 2021 season, and he was also ranked as the No. 2 shortstop prospect behind Wander Franco.
Witt Jr.’s power and speed combination is rare in the minor leagues, and his ability to play solid defense at shortstop makes him a highly coveted prospect. Many experts believe that Witt Jr. has the potential to be a perennial All-Star in the major leagues.
Witt Jr.’s Future
Witt Jr.’s Potential in the Major Leagues
Witt Jr. has the potential to become a star player in the major leagues. He has already shown his impressive skills and abilities in the minor leagues, and he has drawn comparisons to some of the game’s top players.
Witt Jr.’s combination of power, speed, and defensive ability make him a valuable asset for any team. As a top prospect, he is expected to make his major league debut in the near future.
Witt Jr.’s Performance in the Major Leagues
The expectations for Witt Jr.’s performance in the major leagues are high. Many experts believe that he has the potential to be a franchise player, and he is expected to contribute both offensively and defensively.
Witt Jr. has shown the ability to hit for both average and power in the minor leagues, and he is expected to continue to develop as a hitter in the major leagues. Defensively, he is expected to be a standout player at shortstop, with the ability to make difficult plays and turn double plays.
Predictions for Witt Jr.’s Career Trajectory
Predicting a player’s career trajectory is always difficult, but Witt Jr. has all the tools to become a superstar in the major leagues. If he can continue to develop his skills and stay healthy, he has the potential to have a long and successful career.
Many experts predict that he will be a perennial All-Star and could even contend for MVP awards in the future. Witt Jr. is still young and has a lot of potential, so his career trajectory will ultimately depend on how he performs in the major leagues.
Bobby Witt Jr.’s statistics in AA and AAA in the 2021 season:
| Statistic | AA | AAA | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Games played | 63 | 61 | 124 |
| Plate appearances | 271 | 258 | 529 |
| Batting average | .262 | .295 | .290 |
| On-base percentage | .312 | .413 | .361 |
| Slugging percentage | .529 | .623 | .576 |
| Home runs | 16 | 17 | 33 |
| Stolen bases | 11 | 18 | 29 |
Table Name: Bobby Witt Jr.’s 2021 AA and AAA Season Statistics Comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Bobby Witt Jr. expected to make his Major League debut?
There is no confirmed date for Witt Jr.’s Major League debut yet. However, many experts predict that he could make his debut in the 2022 season.
What position does Bobby Witt Jr. play?
Bobby Witt Jr. is a shortstop. He has also played second base in the past, but his primary position is shortstop.
How does Bobby Witt Jr.’s performance compare to his father’s?
Bobby Witt Sr. was a pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1986-2001. While it’s difficult to compare the two since they play different positions, Bobby Witt Jr.’s performance in the minors has been exceptional, and many experts predict that he will have a long and successful career in the Major Leagues.
What are some weaknesses in Bobby Witt Jr.’s game?
While Witt Jr.’s game is generally regarded as strong overall, he does have some weaknesses. For example, his strikeout rate in the minors was 27.2%, which is somewhat high. He will need to work on improving his plate discipline and reducing his strikeouts in order to be successful at the Major League level.
How does Bobby Witt Jr. compare to other top shortstop prospects in baseball?
Bobby Witt Jr. is widely regarded as one of the top shortstop prospects in baseball, along with Wander Franco of the Tampa Bay Rays and CJ Abrams of the San Diego Padres. Each of these players has their own strengths and weaknesses, but all are considered to be future stars in the Major Leagues.
To Recap
Bobby Witt Jr. is one of the most highly regarded prospects in baseball today. His impressive skills and abilities in both offense and defense, combined with his speed and instincts on the basepaths, make him a valuable asset for any team.
Witt Jr.’s outstanding performance in the minor leagues in 2021 and his high rankings as a top prospect have raised expectations for his future performance in the major leagues.
If he can continue to develop his skills and stay healthy, he has the potential to become a superstar player and make a significant impact in the major leagues for years to come.
