Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. Has Real Chance to Break 30-Year Hitting Record

The 26-year-old shortstop is poised to surpass Alex Rodriguez's mark of 92 extra-base hits in a season.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 4:38pm

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Kansas City Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. is on the verge of breaking a 30-year-old MLB record held by Alex Rodriguez. ESPN's David Schoenfield believes Witt has a realistic chance of reaching 92 extra-base hits in 2026, which would eclipse Rodriguez's mark set in 1996. Witt, who is entering his fifth MLB season at age 26, has shown immense power and speed, coming close to the record in recent years.

Why it matters

Witt is one of the most exciting young players in baseball, and breaking this long-standing record would cement his status as one of the game's elite talents. It would also highlight the Royals' savvy in locking up their superstar shortstop to a team-friendly deal, ensuring he remains in Kansas City for the foreseeable future.

The details

Witt had 23 home runs in both 2024 and 2025, showcasing his 30-homer power potential. With more favorable stadium dimensions, he could reach new heights in 2026. Witt has also been a doubles and triples machine, recording at least 28 doubles in each of his first four seasons and a career-high 11 triples in 2023 and 2024. Combining his power and speed, Witt is just two extra-base hits shy of Rodriguez's record of 92.

  • Witt is entering his fifth MLB season in 2026 at the age of 26.

The players

Bobby Witt Jr.

A 26-year-old shortstop for the Kansas City Royals who is considered one of the best all-around players in baseball, with elite power, speed, and defensive abilities.

Alex Rodriguez

A former MLB shortstop and third baseman who set the record of 92 extra-base hits in a season in 1996 while playing for the Seattle Mariners.

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What they’re saying

“Bobby Witt Jr.: 92 extra-base hits. Verdict: Real. Witt had 23 home runs in 2024 before dropping to 23 in 2025, so we know there's 30-homer power here -- and maybe close to 40 with the new ballpark dimensions.”

— David Schoenfield, ESPN writer (ESPN)

What’s next

If Witt continues his upward trajectory in 2026, he will have a realistic chance of breaking Rodriguez's long-standing record of 92 extra-base hits in a season.

The takeaway

Bobby Witt Jr. is on the verge of cementing his status as one of the best all-around players in baseball by potentially breaking a 30-year-old record held by Alex Rodriguez. This would be a remarkable achievement for the 26-year-old Royals star, who is locked up on a team-friendly deal and poised to lead Kansas City for years to come.