Bobby Witt Jr. Reveals Key Area for Improvement in 2025

Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. had yet another incredible season in 2024.

The 24-year-old earned his first All-Star nod, an American League Gold Glove, a Silver Slugger, and finished second in AL MVP voting behind World Series runner-up Aaron Judge.

But he isn’t resting on his laurels. Witt Jr. has revealed that he is working on another part of his game: basestealing.

“I’m one of the fastest guys in the league. I shouldn’t be getting thrown out the way I am.”

In 2024, he was caught stealing 12 times. His basestealing value was at +1 run created, which fell behind top base thieves like Shohei Ohtani, who recorded +7.

Witt Jr.’s focus in particular is increasing his first step and decision-making, as his average lead distance gained on attempts dropped to more than two feet below league average. He is correct in claiming himself as one of the fastest players in the league, with his sprint speed clocking at 30.3 feet per second. This ties him with the league’s fastest player in Elly De La Cruz, who led the league in basestealing last season.

The additional offseason work has already paid dividends by his own admission, saying he “just feels faster” than last year. While his +5 extra base running ranked third in the MLB, he will attempt to pair that efficiency with better basestealing. His historic 2024 campaign saw him hit a .332 batting average (best in MLB) with 32 home runs and 31 stolen bases. It was Witt Jr.’s second consecutive 30-30 season — the first shortstop in MLB history to accomplish such a feat.

If all goes to plan, Royals fans and their opponents can expect an even more dynamic Witt Jr., who is already one of the league’s top-tier players.