Kansas City Royals show they get it with Bobby Witt Jr.
No one can say that the Kansas City Royals are not looking to put the best product on the diamond possible. While the results may not have been there last season, the Royals are doing what they can to put a viable product on the diamond.
This includes a refusal to manipulate service time. Bobby Witt Jr. may be one of the top prospects in the game, and it would behoove the Royals to keep him in the minors just long enough to gain an extra year of team control. That is not the plan, however, as Dayton Moore said that Witt will have the chance to make their Opening Day roster.
Kansas City Royals giving Bobby Witt Jr. chance for Opening Day
It seemed as though Witt could make his debut last season. He put together an impressive spring training, making it seem as though he was ready for the majors despite playing just 37 games in rookie ball in 2019.
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Instead, he was sent back to the minors, beginning the season in Double-A. He would end up splitting the season roughly in half between Double-A and Triple-A, performing well at both levels despite his youth. He produced a .290/.361/.576 batting line in his 564 combined plate appearances, hitting 33 homers and 35 doubles while stealing 29 bases. He clearly does not need much, if any, time in the minors in 2022.
Witt does add to a suddenly crowded middle of the infield. Nicky Lopez was a surprise offensively while proving to be Gold Glove caliber defensively at short. Whit Merrifield can play several different positions but may be best suited at second. Then there is the enigma that is Adalberto Mondesi; he has stretches when he looks like a superstar, but his inability to make consistent contact and injury woes have kept him from fulfilling his potential.
No matter what, the Royals will find a spot for Witt. He has the chance to be their next superstar, someone who can be a difference maker in the lineup. If the Royals are going to contend sooner rather than later, Witt is going to be a key part of that surge up the standings.
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The Kansas City Royals could add Bobby Witt Jr. to their Opening Day roster. It shows that the Royals actually do want to win as many games as possible.