Royals SS Bobby Witt Jr. enters Home Run Derby

Field Level Media|published: Mon 8th July, 14:02 2024

MLB: Tampa Bay Rays at Kansas City Royals

Jul 2, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) hits a solo home run in the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. announced Monday that he will compete in the Home Run Derby.

Witt, 24, was already headed to Arlington, Texas, as a first-time starter for the American League All-Star squad.

Witt, who grew up in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, will participate in next Monday's derby for the first time.

"It's an honor just to be able to be asked to do that and kind of represent the Royals," Witt said.

Other confirmed entries in the slugging exhibition are the Philadelphia Phillies' Alec Bohm, the Baltimore Orioles' Gunnar Henderson and two-time winner Pete Alonso of the New York Mets. More participants will be announced in the coming days.

Witt is batting .324 with 15 homers, 61 RBIs and 22 stolen bases in 92 games this season. Entering Monday, he was leading the majors with 119 hits and leading the AL with 25 doubles.

Witt will become the fifth Royals player to participate in the Home Run Derby and the first since Salvador Perez in 2021.

--Field Level Media

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