Bobby Witt Jr.'s ceiling on the Royals' all-time list is already coming into view

When the Royals drafted Bobby Witt Jr. with the second overall pick in the 2019 class, they knew they were getting a potential star, but no one could've predicted such a realistic shot at him becoming a future inner-circle team Hall of Famer. It took two seasons for Witt to make his major league debut, and he immediately made an impact. He was a top-10 MVP finisher in his second season and a runner-up for the award in Year 3.

Witt's 2024 season was one of the best for a player of his age. His 10.5 fWAR that season was the highest for any position player age 24 or younger in the expansion era. In his first four seasons, the shortstop hit over 100 home runs, stole almost 150 bases, and had over 350 RBI. It didn't take long for him to climb the Royals' statistical leaderboards. Now, all he needs is more recognition from the league and his peers.

Now in Year 5, he has hit another 18 home runs, and his 123 career home runs rank 14th for the Royals all time. He's just five shy of passing Eric Hosmer for tenth. He already has 188 stolen bases, putting him fifth all time on the Royals. Witt is likely only a season and a half to two healthy seasons away from breaking into the top 10 in RBI, doubles, and runs scored in Royals franchise history. The shortstop's 33.2 fWAR already puts him fourth for the Royals all-time.

Witt is definitely a top-10 player in Royals history, even after just five seasons. Offensively, he is already close to approaching the best in team history, and defensively, he is one of the best shortstops the game has seen through this point in his career. Some people can try to make a case for Witt Jr. as a top five all-time Royal just five seasons into his career, and those people would be valid in their thinking.

How can Bobby Witt Jr. reach the mountaintop as the Royals' best ever?

At just 26 years old, and already under a long-term contract until he's at least 30 and potentially 37, Witt is already a lock to be up with George Brett as one of the two best Royals in history. He is already one elite season away from being second in fWAR all-time. At his current pace, he'll reach the top three in home runs by 30. He'd then be in the top ten for RBI and runs scored, and the top three for stolen bases. It's widely known that he and Brett will be the names right next to each other as the two best players in Royals history, even without much playoff pedigree on Witt Jr.'s end. Is there any way for him to surpass Brett?

Statistically, Witt Jr. might be able to reach the heights Brett did. While Brett's 3,154 hits could be a stretch, if Witt Jr. plays out his entire contract with the Royals, he has a chance to be number one in most categories for the K.C. But at a certain point, stats can't be the end-all, be-all when deciding who the best in franchise history was.

Brett won a World Series for the Royals and was great in the postseason that year, too. If Witt Jr. can't lead the Royals to a World Series in his tenure, then it will be extremely hard for him to reach the peak. Leading a team to a championship ring gives Brett a leg up; combined with his statistical greatness, it makes it almost impossible for Witt Jr. to do without a ring himself.

Witt Jr. is already one of the great shortstops of his era, and already one of the best players Kansas City has ever had. He'll finish his career in the pantheon of Royals all time greats, but he's got a long way to go to reach the top of the mountain.

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