Kansas City Royals Star Reveals Specific Goal For 2025 Campaign

After finishing second in the American League MVP voting last season, Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. wants to work on his overall base stealing.

Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) dices to third base in the eighth inning against the New York Yankees during game three of the NLDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Kauffman Stadium. | Peter Aiken-Imagn Images

After finishing second in the American League MVP voting last season, Kansas City Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. has revealed a new goal for 2025: To get more efficient on the bases.

That report comes from MLB.com:

Bobby Witt Jr has elite speed, but even he acknowledges: "I shouldn’t be getting thrown out the way I am."

What do new baserunning metrics tell us about Witt's '24 season on the basepaths? And what is Witt doing about it to prepare for '25?

W/ :@dadler

Bobby Witt Jr has elite speed, but even he acknowledges: "I shouldn’t be getting thrown out the way I am."

What do new baserunning metrics tell us about Witt's '24 season on the basepaths? And what is Witt doing about it to prepare for '25?

W/ @_dadler: https://t.co/rS4NJ6DiF8

— Anne Rogers (@anne__rogers) February 26, 2025

The 24-year-old Witt stole 31 bases last season as the Royals raced out to the American League Division Series, but he was caught 12 times. In 2023, he stole a whopping 49 bases but was caught 15 times, which led all of baseball.

Those caught stealings might be the only blemishes on an otherwise sterling career to this point. He won a Gold Glove award and a Silver Slugger last season after leading all of baseball in batting average (.332) and hits (211). He also popped 32 homers and 109 RBI and earned his first All-Star appearance.

The Royals finished second in the American League Central, beating the Baltimore Orioles in the wild card round before losing to the New York Yankees.

They enter this season with lofty goals and a better roster after trading for infielder Jonathan India and adding closer Carlos Estevez. They also will get back Kyle Wright at some point, who won 21 games for the Atlanta Braves back in 2022.

Opening Day is March 27.

Related MLB Stories

TAKING THE NEXT STEP: Masataka Yoshida, who had surgery on his labrum after the 2024 season, has been cleared for living batting practice. CLICK HERE:

BRYCE LEAVES GAME: Bryce Harper left the game after being hit by a pitch on Wednesday: CLICK HERE:

POOR OFFSEASON? Despite adding a bunch of solid pieces, USA Today isn't fond of what the Blue Jays did this winter. CLICK HERE:

Follow Fastball on FanNation on social media

Continue to follow our Fastball on FanNation coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter @FastballFN.