Kansas City Royals: Could Bobby Witt Jr. make 2021 Opening Day roster?

The Kansas City Royals drafted Bobby Witt Jr. with the No. 2 pick in the 2019 MLB Draft and there’s a chance for him to make the 2021 Opening Day roster.

Normally it’s rare for a high school prospect to be discussed as a legitimate option for the Opening Day roster not even two years after they’ve been drafted (even a top five pick), but Bobby Witt Jr. could most definitely make the Kansas City Royals‘ Opening Day roster in 2021.

Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com was asked if Witt had a shot to be a part of the Opening Day roster next season and Flanagan responded by saying,

"The one organizational consensus about Bobby Witt Jr., the team’s No. 1 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, is that he could hold his own at the big league level right now. He’s that good, and we saw that at Summer Camp. The Royals have control of Franco at third base through 2021, and Adalberto Mondesi is their shortstop. So keep an eye on where Witt gets his reps in Surprise, Ariz., next spring. If Witt starts getting a look in the outfield, especially center field … hmmm."

As Flanagan first mentions, we did see nice glimpses of what Witt had to offer when he was a part of the Royals’ Summer Camp earlier this year. He really impressed both the team and the fans in that short period of time, but no one realistically expected him to be called up in 2020. Witt Jr. is 20 years old and the Royals are hoping he is a huge part of their next contending team.

Flanagan also mentions that they have options at both third base and shortstop next season, so fans should be watching where Witt is seeing time at during Spring Training. He was drafted as a shortstop, but Adalberto Mondesi turned things around at the end of the 2020 season and the Royals wouldn’t have given up on him even if he had finished on a poor note.

Second base could be an option for Witt, as Nicky Lopez hasn’t shown a lot of promise, but it’s still too early to give up on Lopez too. Outfield could be an option for Witt as well and Flanagan specifically pointed at center field as an intriguing direction for the Royals to go in with Witt.

Bobby Witt Jr. provides a lot of excitement for Kansas City Royals fans and very well could be the next face of the franchise. There are a lot of directions to take with Witt, as he offers a lot of athleticism and versatility to this team. Initially, it seemed like an estimated time of arrival in 2023 made the most sense, but if he’s ready sooner, so be it.

While Witt Jr. is only 20 years old, him making an appearance on the 2021 roster wouldn’t be shocking. He’s that talented and Royals fans should be stoked about what this kid has to offer.