![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Bobby-Witt-Jr-1.jpg?width=600)
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Bobby-Witt-Jr-1.jpg?width=600)
Baseball is an amalgamation of talents. Raw power to hit or pitch combined with athleticism, not to mention good speed to cover bases or chase after a ball in the field. The Kansas City Royals may not have the best record for wins vs. losses, but their shortstop will surely break Statcast records with his superhuman speed.
American League rivals, the Royals and the Seattle Mariners, recently faced each other, with Kansas City emerging as a wild winner. One of the most exciting parts of watching the fantastic 7-6 walk-off victory was star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and his unmatched speed.
Bobby Witt Jr. Poses as Baseball’s Flash, Passing Elly De La Cruz
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
This year, Cincinnati Reds rookie Elly De La Cruz has taken the league by storm with his outstanding base stealing. Famously dubbed the ‘fastest man alive’, baseball fans have long been under his spell. However, Bobby Witt Jr. is out to dethrone him. In the fifth inning of the first game of Royals vs Mariners, the shortstop smashed a 105.9 mph line drive to right field.
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Bobby-Witt-Jr-batting.jpg?width=150&blur=15)
via Getty
ANAHEIM, CA – JUNE 21: Bobby Witt Jr. #7 of the Kansas City Royals hits a two run home run in the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 21, 2022 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
Right fielder Dominic Canzone couldn’t seem to get a grip on the ball as he tried to first catch it. But it got lost in the lights and he struggled a bit to pick the ball up and throw it. Meanwhile, Witt zipped around the bases from home to home at a record 14.3 seconds. It was an inside-the-park home run.
Per Talkin’ Baseball, the feat was last seen in 2017, and Witt is only the fourth player to do it in the Statcast Era.
Bobby Witt Jr. went home to home in 14.3 seconds, the fastest time in MLB since 2017 pic.twitter.com/4CMgwmclt7
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 15, 2023
“I guess the baseball gods were on my side,” the Royals shortstop said. “The lights helped me out a little bit, I think. I thought he caught it, and then I saw him run around, and then I just looked to advance, running as fast as I can.”
All anyone could think of at that moment was, “Run, Bobby, run!”
It Wasn’t Even the First Time Witt Did It!
The shortstop tore through the bases like he was in a race against time yesterday, leaving fans impressed. Even if the Royals’ stats are nothing to boast about, good players can always be appreciated. Somehow, it wasn’t the first time that the shortstop hit an inside-the-park homer.
Bobby Witt Jr.'s first Triple-A homer stays inside the park! pic.twitter.com/9HGBFytSxe
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 22, 2021
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
In his minor league days, Witt hit another such long ball for his first Triple-A HR, although it wasn’t quite at the warp speed he showed yesterday. The commentator seemed extremely impressed, “What can’t Bobby Witt Jr. do?!”
READ MORE – 2015 World Series Winner Kansas City Royals Set to Honor One of Their Biggest Heroes With a Grand Ceremony
He also had a diving play at shortstop and an infield single, so the broadcaster was suitably amazed. Since then, Witt has only improved his performance at every at-bat, even if the Royals aren’t quite up to the mark.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Kansas City vs Seattle returns at 5 PM EDT.
WATCH THIS STORY – Ranking the Highest MLB Shortstop Contracts of All-Time