Can the Royals get back on track?
The Kansas City Royals are searching for answers, and Bobby Witt Jr. is making sure nobody on the roster hides from the truth.
After Sunday's 6-5 loss to the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium, the franchise shortstop delivered a message that was part rallying cry and part reality check.
Through 16 games, Kansas City sits at 7-9 and has won just one series all year. Splitting a four-game set at home against a 6-10 White Sox club stings.
Witt Jr. Says the Quiet Part
When asked about how the team moves forward, Witt Jr. didn't sugarcoat it."Just do our thing, put together good at-bats, and we will be in a good spot," Witt said. "Just put our blinders on and keep moving forward. Don't let any outside noise or whatever it is affect us."
That felt like Witt trying to calm the waters, but what came next hit a bit differently.
"In reality, we have to play better and be better at it and just go out there and keep grinding."
That kind of direct statement stands out from a player who just turned 26 and is signed through 2035 on an 11-year, $288.7 million extension.
Witt isn't just the face of the franchise, he's taken on the voice of it, and his willingness to say the team needs to be better carries more weight because he's been one of the few guys actually performing.
The Numbers Back Up the Frustration
Kansas City has scored just 49 runs through 16 games, ranking 27th in baseball.
The lineup has been inconsistent, and too many at-bats have ended without putting real pressure on opposing pitchers.
Witt Jr. has been one of the few bright spots. He's slashing .271/.371/.322 through 59 at-bats, reaching base at a solid clip.
He went 1-for-2 with three walks and two RBIs in Sunday's loss, doing what he could to spark things.
But the power simply hasn't shown up. Witt still hasn't hit a home run and only has three extra-base hits, leaving his OPS at .693.
That's a far cry from the guy who posted a .977 OPS in 2024 and .852 last season.
What Comes Next
Witt also talked about the team's identity and said the group knows what it's capable of doing, which is important because this roster has postseason talent.
Salvador Perez, Vinnie Pasquantino, and Maikel Garcia are all capable of carrying the lineup on any given night.
The pitching staff has done its job more often than not."We know who we are and know what we are capable of doing, and that's what we are going to continue doing," Witt said.
The Royals head to Detroit on Tuesday to open a three-game series against the Tigers, with Cole Ragans expected to take the ball.
Kansas City needs to find some consistency fast because the schedule only gets harder from here.
If this team is going to live up to its preseason expectations, it starts with the type of accountability Witt Jr. showed on Sunday.