Royals Consider Batting Bobby Witt Jr. Leadoff

The star shortstop may hit at the top of the order for Kansas City in 2026.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The Kansas City Royals are experimenting with moving star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. to the leadoff spot in their lineup, both for his upcoming stint with Team USA in the World Baseball Classic and potentially during the regular season. Royals manager Matt Quatraro said the team wants Witt to get used to hitting leadoff before he leaves for the WBC, where he is expected to bat first for Team USA.

Why it matters

Witt is typically a middle-of-the-order hitter for the Royals, but moving him to leadoff could provide a spark for the Kansas City offense, which struggled at times in 2025. The Royals have added more depth to their lineup this offseason, giving them more flexibility to try new lineup configurations.

The details

Royals insider Anne Rogers reported that Witt will likely hit leadoff for Team USA in the WBC, and the Royals want to give him some reps at that spot in spring training before he leaves. Rogers also noted that this experiment could continue into the regular season, as the Royals explore ways to maximize their lineup and generate more offense in 2026.

  • On February 25, 2026, Witt hit leadoff for the Royals in a spring training game against the Seattle Mariners.
  • Witt is expected to join Team USA and hit leadoff for them in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

The players

Bobby Witt Jr.

The Royals' star shortstop and former MVP candidate, who typically hits in the middle of the lineup for Kansas City.

Matt Quatraro

The manager of the Kansas City Royals, who said the team wants Witt to get used to hitting leadoff before he leaves for the World Baseball Classic.

Anne Rogers

A Royals insider who reported on the team's plans to experiment with Witt in the leadoff spot.

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What they’re saying

“Bobby Witt Jr. is hitting leadoff today. Manager Matt Quatraro said he's "pretty sure" Witt is going to hit leadoff for Team USA, so he wanted to let Witt get used to it before he leaves. Also gives the Royals an idea of what it could look like if they do it in the regular season.”

— Anne Rogers, Royals Insider (X)

What’s next

The Royals will continue to evaluate Witt in the leadoff spot during spring training, and they will monitor how he performs in that role for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. If the experiment is successful, the team may decide to have Witt bat leadoff during the regular season as well.

The takeaway

The Royals' decision to experiment with Bobby Witt Jr. in the leadoff spot shows their willingness to try new things and get creative with their lineup in an effort to improve their offense and make a playoff push in 2026. If the move pays off, it could provide a significant boost to the Royals' lineup and their chances of returning to the postseason.