KC Royals: 2 truths, 1 lie about Bobby Witt Jr.

 In 2023 and beyond, fewer KC Royals players are under more pressure than shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. 
The second overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft has had high expectations from Royals fans since day one. Witt has risen from a top draft prospect to a top minor league prospect and is now an everyday starter for the Royals. The pressure remains, as fans crave more from Witt.

KC Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. has his fair share of doubters and narratives after a rough April.

He has all of the tools to be a superstar shortstop, a premium that the Royals historically cannot afford on the open market. The pressure is on Witt to realize his full potential and be a cornerstone for the next competitive Royals squad. That is why his below-average performance in 2023 so far is under so much scrutiny.

Let's add some context and numbers to that scrutiny, though. There have been many narratives about Witt so far this season. With two truths and a lie, we will prove which is legit or not.

Claim #1: April is Bobby Witt Jr.'s worst month at the plate. 

Through the month of April, Witt has struggled at the top of Kansas City's lineup. Manager Matt Quatraro has kept Witt in the lineup's top three all season because that is where he profiles best. Great speed on the basepaths, a solid bat—all those tools work best for the leadoff man. But the tools are not translating into production.

Witt's .659 OPS and 77 wRC+ this season are below league average and not what fans want from the franchise's future. He was drawing walks in spring training, a promising sign for his plate approach and threat as a leadoff man. But a 5.6% BB% and 33.9% chase rate are not going to scare many opposing pitchers. All in all, this has not been a banner year for Bobby's bat.

But things can always get worse. Last April was noticeably worse than this season for Witt; a 52 wRC+, .558 OPS, and 2.6% BB% are all eye-popping bad numbers. Sure, it was his debut month in the majors, and Witt was just 21 years old. They are still bad numbers nonetheless. Witt's first month in 2023 was significantly better than the 2022 iteration. Witt is not beyond criticism just because of the month, but the idea that he is just a slow starter to the season is not outlandish. After some more seasons under his belt, that narrative may gain traction. For now, Witt's April performance will definitely go down as a low point in the 2023 campaign.

Verdict: False

Claim #2: Bobby Witt Jr.'s glove is better after the 2022 struggles. 

Royals fans are all too familiar with Witt's defensive struggles during his rookie campaign. Witt is a five-tool player, but that glove tool did not translate immediately to the big leagues. His 11 fielding errors tied for the most among all MLB shortstops, and his fielding percentage was the 13th-worst in the league too. The arm strength was there, and he amazed fans with some highlight-worthy throws. But all in all, Witt was far from an average defensive shortstop. 

There were calls from the stands that the Royals should consider moving Witt to third base. It made sense, even if Witt was not a great defender there either. Quatraro silenced those doubters quickly this winter, calling for patience and more time for Witt. 

I think there was some technique things — footwork, body position. I think really it just came down to reps, and I think getting more reps at the big-league level is going to be the thing that helps him the most.

So far, Quatraro's decision has looked great for 2023. He only has two errors this season, well above the league's worst shortstops. A .976 fielding percentage is nothing to go crazy over, but it is a notable improvement from his rookie campaign. Witt looks more collected in the field, something that can only happen with practice and experience. Witt still trusts his arm more than he should at points, but all the metrics and the eye test say Witt is a better defender by far.

Verdict: True