As the baseball season nears its halfway point, I am beginning to realize just how quickly time can pass. I’m fairly certain that my entire conception of “time” has been fundamentally altered since the COVID-19 pandemic essentially stopped time for well over a year. Nonetheless, we are now halfway through Jun., and as I sit here reflecting on the idea of “time,” I’m remembering just how fantastic it was when Spring Training arrived for the first time in what felt like forever. 

During Spring Training, fans always get the pre-season jitters, and we always get excited to see the young guys try to make a name for themselves in an attempt to get a spot on a major league roster. Every once in a while, you get a prospect who makes a splash, and in my opinion, the darling of Spring Training 2021 was none other than Kansas City Royals’ shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.

Bobby Witt Jr. is the top prospect in the Royals’ system, and that’s to be expected from the former second overall pick in the 2019 draft. The 22-year-old Texas product impressively came onto the scene during 2021’s Spring Training, hitting .289 with three home runs and seven RBIs. Witt Jr. got on base at a clip of .325, which is twelve points higher than the current 2021 average OBP of .313. Even more eye-popping was his slugging percentage of .526, which is over 150 points higher than the 2021 average slugging percentage of .398.

Trust me, I am very much aware that Spring Training does not usually equate with regular-season success. However, the numbers are still extremely impressive, so much so that they got fans clamoring for Witt Jr. to make the 2021 Opening Day Roster. However, the Royals optioned Witt Jr. to their Double-A squad, reasoning that he needs some sharpening before getting his shot in the majors.

Despite the excitement that Witt Jr. provided us in Spring Training, it looks like the Royals were correct in sending him down to begin 2021. In May, he slashed just .233/.314/.478, and overall, he’s struggled to hit right-handed pitching. When looking at his splits in 2021, Witt Jr. is hitting just .194 against righties, compared to .412 against lefties, something he’ll need to improve on before getting his shot with the big league squad. 

However, in Jun., it looks as though Witt Jr. is starting to find his stride at the plate. So far, he’s slashing .286/.362/.595, and he’s raised his season slash line to .244/.324/.504. He also has 10 home runs (despite missing home plate on a potential eleventh home run) and has driven in 18 RBIs this season, making him a potential late-season call-up for the Royals. With the Royals currently sitting three games below .500 this season, the future looks as though we may get the pleasure of a Bobby Witt Jr. sighting come Sept.