There are plenty of ways to describe watching Kansas City Royals star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. play. Teammate Michael Lorenzen keeps it simple: "It's the real deal.
" After collecting three more hits on Friday to raise his major-league-leading batting average to .352, Witt has Kansas City hunting a series win entering its Saturday game against the host Cincinnati Reds. The Royals won the opener of the three-game series 7-1 on Friday with ample help from Witt, who finished a triple shy of the cycle and clobbered his 25th home run of the season.
He became the third Royal with 25 homers and 25 stolen bases in consecutive seasons, joining Bo Jackson (1988-89) and Carlos Beltran (2002-03). Witt, a first-time All-Star this season, might be the American League's leading MVP candidate if not for New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge's torrid campaign. Aside from leading the big leagues in batting average, runs (105) and hits (171), Witt also ranks among the game's top three in RBIs (90) and OPS (1.
021). "It's incredible," said Lorenzen, who earned the win for Kansas City on Friday. "And just the way he goes about his business, too, it makes me have that much more respect for him.
" Witt has especially sizzled at the plate since June 30, batting .456 with 13 homers and a 1.337 OPS.
His approach? The same as that of his teammates, he said. "Just attacking the pitcher and enjoying it. .
.. Taking it pitch by pitch, day by day and trusting our process," Witt said.
Witt and the Royals will di.