"Absolutely terrifying to play Bobby Witt Jr." - Tigers pundit outlines how $288.7 million star elevates Royals' ceiling

The Kansas City Royals failed to make the postseason in 2025 after posting an 82-80 record to finish third in the American League Central.

Although the Royals failed to make the playoffs, All-Star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. had another stellar year for the AL Central franchise. He batted .295 with 23 home runs and 88 RBIs and led the league with 184 hits and 47 doubles, a career-best for the shortstop.

Detroit Tigers analyst Scott Bentley talked about Bobby Witt Jr.'s impact on the Royals and what he brings to the franchise when healthy.

"As long as Bobby Witt Jr. is healthy, the Royals are always going to be in the mix," Bentley said. "They're gonna be around this level. They're not going to get a full healthy season of Bobby Witt, Jr and lose 100 games. He is too good and I know that it's baseball, and how much can one player really do? He legitimately is that good. There is nothing he can't do on a baseball diamond and it is absolutely terrifying to play him, even when he goes over. "He is making an impact either on the base paths, you know, running to first base, or just defensively with his range and arm. He does everything literally and does it at a borderline elite level. At full health, over the course of a full season, you can pretty much pencil him in for, like, at worst, like five and a half WAR, which is great, like that, as a floor for a player, is astronomical. I can't even express how highly regarded he is already at this point in his career. "

The Royals shortstop earned his second All-Star selection last season and won the Gold Glove award and Silver Slugger title for a second consecutive season.

Bobby Witt Jr. capped off historic season despite Royals missing the postseason

The Royals shortstop smashed his 100th home run in August, becoming only the fourth player in MLB history to record 100 home runs and 100 stolen bases in their first four seasons.

In the same month, Bobby Witt Jr. became the first player in MLB history to post 20 home runs and 30 stolen bases in each of his four seasons in the major leagues.

Edited by Chaitanya Prakash