So much for a slick fielding shortstop who is all glove and no stick.
The Royals Bobby Witt Jr. has proven to have plenty of pop at the plate.
Bobby Witt Jr. of the Royals made history by becoming the first shortstop to achieve multiple seasons of at least 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases, accomplishing this feat during a game against the Detroit Tigers.
This season, Witt has recorded 31 homers and 30 steals, following a remarkable previous season where he also reached the 30-30 milestone.
Additionally, he is the first player to have multiple 30-30 seasons within his first three years in the major leagues, and he recently signed an 11-year deal with the Royals worth nearly $289 million as the team competes for an AL wild-card spot.
Fox Sports has a short story:
The Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. became the first shortstop in major league history with multiple seasons of at least 30 homers and 30 steals when the All-Star swiped second base in the first inning of Tuesday night’s game against the Detroit Tigers.
Witt has 31 homers this season, including a grand slam in the series-opener Monday night, to go with 30 steals.
The 24-year-old superstar had 49 steals last season, when he hit the homer he needed to reach 30 with three games left in the season.
The son of longtime big league pitcher Bobby Witt also became the first player with multiple 30-30 seasons in his first three years in the big leagues.
In fact, only six other players have had one within their first three seasons.
The second overall pick in the 2019 first-year player draft, Witt signed an 11-year deal with the Royals in the offseason that ultimately will pay him $288,777,777.
The biggest deal in franchise history included a $7,777,777 signing bonus, an ode to his No. 7 jersey that has become so popular with Kansas City fans who have packed Kauffman Stadium during their playoff chase.
The Royals are firmly in an AL wild-card spot with an outside chance of catching Cleveland in the division.
