Bobby Witt Jr.’s latest feat leaves Royals teammates in awe: ‘Just an all-around stud’

Kansas City Royals starter Michael Wacha remains in awe whenever his superstar teammate Bobby Witt Jr. steps into the batter’s box.

Truthfully, Wacha doesn’t know what to expect. Witt could race to third base in under 12 seconds with a triple. Wacha has seen him do that multiple times this year.

Witt could also beat out a ground ball for an infield single or take a walk and promptly steal second. Wacha has had a front-row seat to both outcomes.

However, Witt did something on Saturday that he had never done before. He reached 100 RBIs for the first time in his career.

Wacha searched for the words to describe how impressive it was to be part of another Witt milestone moment.

“It’s been a lot of fun to watch him this year,” Wacha said. “He’s a stud and you kind of never know what he is going to do that day. (It’s) exciting stuff in the field, in the box and with his (at-bats). He is just an all-around stud and great dude. Getting to that number, that’s a big number right there. That’s something to be proud of.”

In the first inning, Witt hit his 31st home run off Pittsburgh Pirates starter Mitch Keller. The blast traveled 420 feet over the left-field wall. Witt became the second Royal to reach 100 RBIs this season, joining teammate Salvador Perez.

Both Witt and Perez have 102 RBIs, tied for fifth in the majors.

“It’s special,” Witt said. “It goes down to everyone getting on base and doing their job and passing the baton to get the next guy up. And Vinnie (Pasquantino), I almost put 100 RBIs next to him because you knew what he was going to do.”

Witt has now recorded his first season of at least 30 home runs and 100 RBIs. The Royals are now 55-30 when Witt scores at least one run in a game.

“If you have three guys with 100 RBIs and they are in succession, you know they are doing something right,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “And that speaks to the depth of the lineup, too, because they can’t drive themselves in all the time. Our guys in the lineup are getting on base, forcing the issue and giving them opportunities to do it.”

The Royals secured their first winning season since 2015 on Saturday. The club improved to 82-67 and is in a solid position to make the playoffs.

Witt has been a key contributor. He is vying to win both the American League MVP and batting title this season. Witt faces stiff competition from New York Yankees star Aaron Judge.

The superstars have led their team in different ways. Witt remains the engine of the Royals offense with his ability to perform in key spots. The Royals are hopeful he can remain on a hot streak down the stretch.

“If he heats up, that helps us out tremendously,” Quatraro said. “I mean, he is the best player in the league if he keeps going like that. Just like he did post All-Star Break, that will be a massive boost for us.”

Witt is now hitting .333 this season. He leads the majors in that category and is just two stolen bases shy of his second consecutive 30-30 season. He would become the first MLB shortstop to have multiple 30-30 seasons.

Additionally, Witt leads the majors in hits (198) and runs scored (121). If those numbers hold up, he will become the fifth player to lead the league in all three categories. The last player to accomplish that mark was Rod Carew in 1977.

“I set a lot of personal goals, but sometimes statistical goals are hard to set because you don’t know where you want to set them at,” Witt said. “So really, I’m trying to take things day-by-day and try to play the game and let that kind of happen on its own.”

Witt continues to play the game at a high level, and Wacha can’t help but smile. In his words, Witt has been the stud player the team has needed all year.

“It’s going to be many more of those,” Wacha said of Witt’s 100-RBI season. “… He got it going for us today.”