KC Royals: Predicting the 2022 Opening Day lineup

Batting second and playing third base for the KC Royals: Bobby Witt Jr.

One of the most eagerly anticipated days in Kansas City baseball history is right around the corner.

Yes, what Royals fans have so looked forward to since the 2019 amateur draft, when the club made him the second overall selection, is finally about to happen.

Bobby Witt Jr., who MLB Pipeline says is the best overall prospect in the game, will undoubtedly make his major league debut at third base Thursday. And he’ll probably bat second in Matheny’s lineup.

Driven by his five-tool skill set and the position he’ll play, the comparisons to Hall of Famer George Brett have been and are inevitable. If anyone can handle the pressure, though, it’s Witt, who so far remains undaunted by anything he’s faced in his short professional career. Although he has only two seasons and a 2020 summer spent at the club’s Alternate Training Site under his belt, he’s slashing .407/.448/.741 (1.189 OPS) this spring and clubbed 33 homers, drove in 97 runs, and hit .290 in the minors last season.

Because Witt can handle the bat so well and is always a threat to swipe bases (29 steals last year), he’s a good choice to hit behind Merrifield and ahead of Salvador Perez.