What a week it's been for the Kansas City Royals! The biggest headline? Bobby Witt Jr. has been named the American League Player of the Week, and it's easy to see why.
Witt was on fire at the plate, collecting 11 hits over the last seven days. The highlight? An inside-the-park home run that had everyone talking. But he didn't stop there — he also delivered a four-hit performance against the Guardians on Thursday, one of three multi-hit games during his hot streak. All that production pushed his batting average above .300 for the first time this season, now sitting at .302, while his OPS jumped 82 points to .847. With 2.8 bWAR, Witt is currently tied for the MLB lead among all position players. If you're looking for a jersey to rep, his is the one to grab right now.
In other Royals news, Tod Palmer recently highlighted the inspiring journey of Bridget Howard, who has made history as the first female full-time broadcaster for Royals TV. Howard credits pioneers like Erin Andrews, Jenny Dell, and Taylor McGregor for paving the way. "Those were women that I looked up to, and I saw them in roles like this and was like, 'Hey, I can do this, too,'" she shared. Now, she's becoming that same role model for the next generation of young girls watching Royals games.
Shifting to the future, the Royals seem to have their eyes on left-handed pitcher Gio Rojas in the upcoming draft. A high school arm with terrific velocity and a promising breaking ball, Rojas has been heavily scouted by Kansas City this spring. If they can snag him, it could be a major boost to their pitching pipeline. Other names to watch include Lombard and Booth, the latter known for elite speed.
Finally, a fascinating piece from Eno Sarris explores why left-handed pitchers are throwing fewer splitters, despite the pitch's growing popularity overall. The concern? Health. Giants lefty Robbie Ray shared his personal experience: "The reason that I don't throw the splitter anymore is I did blow out my elbow when I was throwing it." While Ray admits there may not be a direct correlation, it's a cautionary tale for any pitcher considering adding the grip to their arsenal.
Whether you're tracking Witt's MVP-caliber season or dreaming of future Royals stars, there's plenty to be excited about in Kansas City. Keep those jerseys ready — this team is heating up.