George Brett vs Bobby Witt, Jr - An Analytical Comparison
Is Bobby Witt, Jr the next George Brett?
The Kansas City Royals have a history filled with ups and downs, wins and losses, and a handful of legendary players. We can talk about Eric Hosmer, Bret Saberhagen, Willie Wilson, Frank White, Amos Otis, Dan Quisenberry, and many others. But no one is more revered and beloved in Royals lore than Hall of Famer George Brett. His storied career, marked by grit, consistency, and sheer excellence, has left an indelible mark on Kansas City and baseball history alike. Now, the Royals faithful have another rising star to rally behind: Bobby Witt Jr. Witt's arrival on the scene has been nothing short of electrifying, and his impact on the team has been just as anticipated as it has been impressive. With a unique blend of speed, power, and raw talent, Witt is bringing a fresh burst of energy to the franchise, sparking excitement for the Royals' future. Fans can’t help but draw comparisons between Witt’s early promise and Brett’s legendary career, creating a thrilling buzz around the team's new face of the future.
The Kansas City Royals are on the verge of something special in 2024, and
for the first time since their magical 2015 World Series run, they’re on pace
to make the playoffs. With 91 wins on the horizon and their first winning
record in nearly a decade, Royals fans are buzzing with excitement. A huge
reason for their resurgence? None other than Bobby Witt Jr. His presence in the
lineup and dazzling defensive contributions have been absolute game-changers
for the Royals this season. Already in his third year, Witt has emerged as a
legitimate MVP candidate, reminding fans of the iconic George Brett’s ascent in
the 1970s. Brett, in his fourth season, narrowly missed out on the MVP crown,
finishing second to Thurman Munson, and went on to dominate the conversation
for years, finishing in the top 20 for MVP voting six out of the next seven
seasons, including one MVP win, a second-place finish, and a third-place
finish.
Brett’s career took the Royals to seven postseason appearances, including
two trips to the World Series, and that unforgettable 1985 championship. Now,
there’s a growing anticipation that Witt could not only match Brett’s legendary
career but perhaps surpass it, leading Kansas City to the promised land once
again. With Witt at the helm, many believe the Royals’ next chapter could be
even brighter than the last. So, let’s dive in and take a closer look at how
these two generational talents—Witt and Brett—stack up over their first three
seasons, and whether Witt is on track to become the next Kansas City legend.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the comparison between Bobby Witt, Jr and George Brett’s first three full seasons in the big leagues. Please note, that while Witt came up in his age 22 season and played full time (150 games), Brett was a September call up in 1973 (his age 20 season) and played in 13 games. Those numbers are included here.
Performance Overview:
- Games Played
(G): Brett has played slightly more games (464) than Witt (458) over
their respective first years, indicating both have been regular fixtures
in their lineups.
- Plate
Appearances (PA) and At-Bats (AB): Witt has more plate appearances
(1988) than Brett (1929), reflecting his central role in the lineup. He
also has more at-bats (1830 vs. Brett's 1776).
Offensive Performance:
- Hits (H): Brett leads
with 544 hits, compared to Witt's 525, showcasing Brett’s consistency at
the plate during his early years.
- Doubles (2B)
and Triples (3B): Brett has fewer doubles (92 vs. Witt's 102) but more triples (33
vs. 21), indicating Brett’s skill in hitting for extra bases.
- Home Runs (HR): Witt has hit
70 home runs in this span, vastly surpassing Brett’s 23, showing Witt's
greater power-hitting ability early on.
Runs and Base-Running:
- Runs Scored (R): Witt has scored 300 runs, significantly more than Brett's 229, highlighting Witt’s aggressive play and ability to get on base and score.
- Stolen Bases
(SB): Witt is a superior base runner with 107 stolen bases at a success
rate of 75.89%, compared to Brett's 42 steals at a 61.76% success rate.
Defensive and WAR Contribution:
- Wins Above
Replacement (WAR): Both players have remarkably
similar WAR values—Brett at 14.6 and Witt at 14.2—indicating their overall
contribution to the team’s success is closely matched.
- Defensive Wins Above Replacement (dWAR): Brett's
defensive value is much higher (2.4 dWAR vs. Witt's 0.0), meaning Brett
was a more impactful defender, while Witt’s contribution in this area is
neutral or offset by his -24 runs in fielding.
- Offensive Impact (oWAR): Witt excels in offensive WAR
with a value of 16.8 compared to Brett’s 14.0, further solidifying Witt’s
status as an offensive powerhouse.
Comparing these two great players was fun and entertaining to do. What is the verdict? Brett is a more balanced player in terms of
offense and defense, with notable defensive contributions, especially in
fielding. His ability to hit for extra bases, particularly triples, and his
higher WAR defensively are standout traits.
Witt, however, brings incredible power to the Royals' lineup, leading in
home runs, stolen bases, and overall runs scored. He is a more dynamic
offensive force early in his career with the potential to grow defensively as
he ages. Witt sports a higher oWAR and
better base-running skills. For the time
being, Brett remains the better defensive choice, especially when you count his
Gold Glove in 1985. Witt does not have
that kind of performance to trumpet... yet!
I think we can safely say that Bobby Witt, Jr is on pace to be the next Kansas
City Royals legend. Will he be better
than George Brett? Time will only tell,
but the future looks bright for Bobby!
All statistics courtesy of baseballreference.com
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Bruce holds degrees in Computer Science, Biblical History, and American History from Temple University and Liberty University; he has also completed a Doctorate in Educational Organizational Leadership at Abilene Christian University. He is a member of the Epsilon Pi Tau Honor Society, Golden Key Honor Society, Historical Studies Honor Society, and the Saber and Scroll Society. He has worked in educational technology for 30 years and specializes in building infrastructures for schools that work to support the mission of technology in education in the classroom. He has also served as a classroom teacher in computer science, history, and English classes at both the high school and College levels. His baseball career spanned almost 15 years, from high school through Division I college ball and experience in MLB. He has coached players at various levels from ages 8 through 18.
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