Kansas City Royals rookie Bobby Witt Jr. makes history

Only four players in Kansas City Royals history have ever had a season where they hit 20 homers and stole 20 bases. On Saturday, Bobby Witt Jr. became the fifth.

It did not take long for Witt to accomplish that feat. He entered the game with 19 homers, and in the top of the third, sent a three run blast into the Royals bullpen for his 20th of the season. That made him just the 13th rookie, and second this year, to join the 20-20 club.

Bobby Witt Jr. makes Kansas City Royals history

Witt joined Julio Rodriguez as the second rookie in the 20-20 club this year with that homer. The only other time two rookies had a 20-20 season came in 1987 when Ellis Burks and Devon White joined the club.

Witt also became just the second Royals rookie to post a 20-20 season. Carlos Beltran had the first as he hit 22 homers and stole 27 bases in 1999. He posted three more 20-20 seasons in Kansas City, doing so from 2001 through 2003, his four 20-20 years the most in franchise history. Bo Jackson, in 1988 and 1989, is the only other Royals player to have multiple 20-20 seasons. Amos Otis (1978) and Jeff Francouer (2011) have the others.

It is possible that he will move up that list as well. Witt’s blend of speed and power could lead to his matching Jackson next season. And, if the Royals can sign him to a long term extension as a player to build their future core around, he could easily surpass Beltran provided that he stays healthy.

Of course, that is easier said than done. White only had one other 20-20 season in his career, coming in 1998 with the Diamondbacks. It is also not a guarantee of stardom; while Mike Trout and Beltran had 20-20 seasons as rookies, so did Mitchell Page, Tommie Agee, Marty Cordova, and Chris Young. However, for a team in need of reasons to hope, Witt has provided just that.

Bobby Witt Jr. became the 13th rookie, and second this season, to record a 20-20 season. The Kansas City Royals youngster is only getting started.