Will Bobby Witt Jr. have his best season yet in 2026?
The Kansas City Royals are set to begin their 2026 regular season on Friday night against the Atlanta Braves. Bobby Witt Jr. has cemented himself as one of the best players in baseball over the past two years. However, he could end up having his best season yet during the 2026 campaign.
Here are two Bobby Witt Jr. predictions that will shape his season.
Witt Sets New Career-High in Home Runs
The long ball has not exactly been a problem for Witt in the four seasons he has played at the MLB level. The Royals shortstop has recorded at least 20 home runs in each of his big league seasons.
His career-high is 32, something he accomplished in 2024. In 2025, Witt saw his total drop to only 23. In 2026, though, Witt may be on track to surpass his 2024 mark.
Witt still hit the baseball hard last year, ranking in the 95th percentile in average exit velocity. His 27.9 percent fly ball rate was a career-low, though. For Witt, it may truly be as simple as hitting the ball in the air on a more consistent basis.
The Royals moved their outfield fences in as well. That is destined to help Witt hit the ball over the fence at a higher rate.
Bobby Witt Jr. Takes AL MVP Away From Aaron Judge
Judge is a three-time MVP who has won the award in back-to-back seasons heading into 2026. It would not be surprising to see him compete for it again, but Witt is poised to take the American League MVP away from the New York Yankees star this year.
Judge is unquestionably the best all-around hitter in the sport. Over in the National League, Shohei Ohtani is the best player given his two-way pitcher/hitter status. When it comes to all-around position players, though, Witt is probably the best in baseball.
The Royals shortstop plays elite defense at a premier position. He is already a two-time Gold Glove winner for a reason. The 25-year-old also hits for power and average -- and if my aforementioned prediction is correct, Witt will have a career year as far as home runs are concerned. Additionally, Witt is one of the best base-stealers in the game.
It is easy to forget that Witt is only entering his prime at 25 years old. Judge, meanwhile, is 33 years old. He is still playing like a superstar and there is no reason to believe his performance will decline, but 2026 has the potential to be Bobby Witt Jr.'s year.