The Royals have consolidated that Bobby Witt Jr. will be the cornerstone of the team’s future. They recently reached an 11-year, $288 million guaranteed contract with him, with multiple options, up to 14 years, and $377 million. This is a huge contract for a young star who has just emerged. Not only is it one of the largest contracts in the history of the major leagues, but the total value has a chance to become the second largest contract in history after Ohtani’s 700 million and Mike Trout’s 436 million. Three approx. And Kansas is expected to reap the rewards. Here are five reasons why Witt and the Royals may be worth such a huge investment:
The Royals solidified Bobby Witt Jr. as a cornerstone of the team’s future. Recently, we reached an 11-year, 288 million guaranteed contract with him, with multiple options, up to 14 years, 377 million.
This is a huge sum for a young star who has just emerged. Not only is it one of the largest contracts in the history of the major leagues, but the total value has the opportunity to become the second-largest contract in history, second only to Ohtani’s 700 million and Mike Trout’s 436 million. Third approx.
Even so, Kansas is expected to reap the rewards, and here are five reasons why Witt might be worth the Royals’ hefty investment:
1. He is already a top star with a combination of speed and strength
Witt has accumulated 50 homers and 79 stolen bases in two major league seasons. After debuting as the top rookie in the major leagues in 2022, Witt surrendered 20 homers and 30 steals. In the 2023 season, he evolved to an outrageous 30 homers and 49. Steal.
When you can post 20 field goals and 30 steals in your rookie season, you know you are witnessing the rise of a superstar. That’s the point here, Witt is already one of the most versatile players in the world.
Last season, only eight players had 25 field goals and 25 steals, and even fewer had 30 field goals and 49 steals:
2023 Season 25 H25 Stealing Player List
- Ronald Acuña Jr. – 41 homers, 73 steals
- Julio Rodríguez – 32 hits, 37 steals
- Francisco Lindor-31 homers, 31 steals
- Bobby Witt Jr.-30 FG, 49 FT
- Kyle Tucker-29 FG, 30 FT
- Trea Turner-26 FG, 30 FT
- Fernando Tatis Jr.O25, 29 years old
- Corbin Carroll-25 FG, 54 FT
These are the team’s stars, many of whom signed huge extensions before this season, and no team has more than one of these players.
In today’s ball game, combining top power and speed is a necessary condition for competing for MVP. The winners of Major League MVP awards in the past decade or so are basically top players with both strength and speed: Acuña, Ohtani, Mike Trout, Cody Bellinger, Mookie Betts, Christian Yelich, Jose Altuve, Andrew McCutchen and Ryan Braun, etc.. .
It’s not hard to imagine Witt joining their ranks soon.
2. An epic career start
Looking at history, Witt’s speed and power are also among the best.
First of all, in the history of the major leagues, there have only been five times in the history of the major leagues when a player reached 30 homers and 49 steals in a single season, namely Witt and Acuña in 2023, Trout in 2012, Barry Bonds in 1990, and Eric Davis in 1987.
In addition, Witt is the only player in major league history to accumulate 50 home runs and 79 stolen bases in his first two seasons.
Apart from Witt, there are only two players in the history of the major leagues who have reached 50 homers and 50 steals in the first two seasons of their careers. One is J-Rod, who will become a regular contender for the American League MVP with Witt in the next generation, and the other is Acuña. If Witt can become the next Acuña, the Royals’ investment will be worth it.
The third point is that he is a “shortstop” with 30 homers and 30 steals in a single season. Only six players in history have achieved this, namely Witt and Lindor in 2023, Hanley Ramirez in 2008, Jimmy Rollins in 2007, and Jimmy Rollins in 1998. A-Rod and Barry Larkin in 1996.
No matter how you look at Witt’s numbers, he’s joined a very elite group and has many years of great career ahead of him.
3. Outperform players of the same age
Are there any players as good as Witt at 23? The answer is some of the greatest stars.
Throughout all eras of the major leagues, few players have amassed 50 homers and 50 steals before turning 23. Among these players, there are three generations of stars whose trajectories Witt can follow.
- The current generation, the stars who played with Witt but have cemented their legendary status, include Acuña, Trout, Betts and Bryce Harper.
- The previous generation, roughly between 1990 and early 2000, included Adrián Beltré, Andruw Jones, A-Rod, Ken Griffey Jr. and Bonds.
- The earliest generation, like Orlando Cepeda, was the first star to display such a combination of strength and speed at Witt’s age.
2024-02-07 03:46:25
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