Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. Shares Move Outside MLB

The Kansas City Royals missed out on the MLB playoffs in 2025, finishing with an 82–80 record. However, there is still reason for optimism heading into next year, especially with Bobby Witt Jr. anchoring the roster.

Witt is signed long-term on an 11-year, $288.7 million extension, widely considered one of the best deals in baseball given the value he provides and the star he has become.

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His fourth season with the Royals was another memorable one. Witt posted a .295 batting average, .351 on-base percentage, .852 OPS, 23 home runs and 88 RBIs across 157 games.

The 25-year-old shortstop led MLB in hits for the second straight year with 184, while also adding 47 doubles, the most in baseball last season.

Beyond his production on the diamond, Witt has also been making moves off the field as he momentarily shifts his focus away from baseball in the offseason. He took to social media to announce a meet-and-greet for Royals fans, sponsored by Dick’s Sporting Goods at the Leawood, Kansas location on Saturday.

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The event will also feature Chinook Seedery, with sunflower seeds available for supporters. Witt has long been invested in the company, becoming a part-owner and significant stakeholder in the growing snack brand.

He shared the details on his Instagram story with the caption, “KC!! Come say hi and get some @chinookseedery tomorrow at @dickhouseofsport 💪💪.”

Witt’s rise to stardom has been years in the making. Drafted second overall by Kansas City in the 2019 MLB Draft, he quickly became the face of the franchise. His debut came in 2022, when he finished fourth in American League Rookie of the Year voting, offering a glimpse of the impact he would soon deliver.

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Since then, Witt has developed into one of the most complete players in the game, combining speed on the bases, strong defense and the ability to hit for both power and average.

Around the league, he is widely regarded as the third-best player in baseball, trailing only Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge. His individual accolades through four seasons highlight that reputation: two All-Star selections, two Gold Gloves, two Silver Sluggers, a batting title and a Platinum Glove. For Kansas City, Witt represents the foundation of a roster that is steadily building toward consistent playoff contention.

Related: Royals’ Salvador Perez Makes Decision Outside MLB on Monday

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Dec 5, 2025, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.