It’s just the second top-10 finish by a Royals player since 2015.
Bobby Witt Jr. had a breakout season in 2023, and he was recognized for his performance by finishing seventh in American League MVP voting in results revealed Thursday evening. Angels pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani unanimously won his second MVP award with Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. unanimously winning in the National League.
Witt became the first player in club history to join the 30/30 club by hitting 30 home runs and stealing 49 bases while hitting .276/.319/4.95 in 158 games. The 23-year-old shortstop finished fifth among American League position players in fWAR with 5.7 and was ninth in the American League in offensive rWAR with 4.9. He led the league with 11 triples and finished this season third in the league in hits (177), seventh in runs scored (97), tenth in RBI (96), second in steals, and eighth in extra base hits (8th)
Witt placed as high as fourth on one ballot, from Vinnie Duber of CHGO. Pete Grathoff of the Kansas City Star had Witt ninth on his ballot.
The AL MVP voting breakdown
(via @officialBBWAA) pic.twitter.com/ivVAGp4KgI
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) November 16, 2023
George Brett is the only Royals player to ever win an MVP, taking honors in 1980. Here are the other top ten MVP finishes by Royals players:
Fred Patek 6th – 1971
Amos Otis 8th – 1971
Amos Otis 3rd – 1973
John Mayberry 7th – 1973
John Mayberry 2nd – 1975
George Brett 2nd – 1976
Hal McRae 4th – 1976
Amos Otis 7th – 1976
Al Cowens 2nd – 1977
Amos Otis 4th – 1978
Darrell Porter 10th – 1978
George Brett 3rd – 1979
Darrell Porter 9th – 1979
George Brett 1st – 1980
Willie Wilson 4th – 1980
Dan Quisenberry 8th – 1980
Hal McRae 4th – 1983
Dan Quisenberry 9th – 1983
Dan Quisenberry 6th – 1983
Dan Quisenberry 3rd – 1984
Willie Wilson 10th – 1984
George Brett 2nd – 1985
Bret Saberhagen 10th – 1985
Bret Saberhagen 8th – 1989
Bo Jackson 10th – 1989
George Brett 7th – 1990
David Cone 9th – 1994
Gary Gaetti 10th – 1995
Carlos Beltran 9th – 2003
Lorenzo Cain 3rd – 2015
Salvador Perez 7th – 2021
Bobby Witt Jr. 7th – 2023
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Title: Bobby Witt Jr. finishes seventh in MVP voting
Author: Max Rieper
