KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. is one step closer to starting for the first time in an All-Star Game.
Witt Jr. was named a finalist for the starting spot on the American League team at this year’s Mid-Summer Classic, as MLB announced the conclusion of Phase 1 of All-Star voting.
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Witt Jr. made his first appearance as an All-Star last summer, stealing the show during the Home Run Derby and appearing as a reserve after losing out on the starting spot to Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson.
This year, Athletics rookie shortstop Jacob Wilson is Witt Jr.’s competition for the spot.
Through 81 games, Witt Jr. has 88 hits, 10 home runs, 40 RBI and 21 stolen bases, with a .278 batting average and .334 on-base percentage.
The 25-year-old was the only member of the Royals who was a finalist for an AL starting spot, as the club sits with a 38-43 record at the official midway point of the 2025 season. Last year, Kansas City sent four players to the All-Star Game in Arlington, Texas.
This season’s All-Star Game will be played in Atlanta, Georgia, on Tuesday, July 15.
You can vote for Witt Jr. here. Voting in Phase 2 ends on July 2, at 11 a.m. CT. At the end of Phase 1, the top vote-getter in the American and National leagues earned an automatic spot.
In the AL, that spot went to New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge. In the NL, that spot went to Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani.
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