Bobby Witt Jr. could surpass Aaron Judge in 2026.
As the 2026 MLB season approaches, Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. is drawing national attention once again. After emerging as one of the most dynamic and complete players in the game, he has entered the conversation as one of baseball’s elite performers.
Witt combines hitting, speed, power and defense in a way few players can match. His wide range of skills has put him near the top of most preseason rankings and sparked discussions about his place among the sport’s best.
That narrative gained even more traction this week when a respected voice in baseball analysis made a bold comparison involving Witt and one of the game’s biggest superstars, New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge.
“I really debated putting Witt over Judge also. I’m going to pick Witt to win the MVP this year,” Jim Bowden of The Athletic said on an appearance on MLB Network Radio.
Bowden’s comment underscored how closely Witt and Judge are viewed at the top of many player lists and how easily their positions could swap heading into the new season.
Witt’s 2025 season provided plenty of evidence for that confidence. He appeared in 157 games and posted a .295 batting average, .351 on-base percentage and .852 OPS.
He finished the year with 23 home runs and 88 RBIs while also stealing 38 bases and leading the league in both hits and doubles. Witt’s overall profile continues to impress.
He earned a second straight All-Star selection, Silver Slugger and Gold Glove Award in 2025. His speed forces teams to account for him in ways few players can match, and his blend of tools has made him one of the most complete players in the sport.
Judge remains one of baseball’s premier offensive forces after winning the 2025 American League Most Valuable Player Award. The fact that Witt is being mentioned so closely in the same breath illustrates both his growth and the shifting landscape of baseball’s elite performers.
Witt and Judge are often slotted at two and three in preseason player rankings, and Bowden’s projection is a sign of how highly Witt is regarded entering 2026.
For the Royals, Witt’s ascent has opened the franchise’s competitive window. He gives Kansas City a true superstar to build around. If Witt can build on his already impressive 2025 performance and continue to improve, the comparison to Judge could prove more than just talk. It could be a preview of a new chapter in baseball’s elite hierarchy.