As the Kansas City Royals prepare for the 2026 season, one of their biggest superstars is balancing spring training with an exciting international opportunity. Bobby Witt Jr., one of baseball’s premier all‑around talents, is heading into camp not just focused on helping the Royals but also preparing to represent Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
The 25-year-old shortstop is one of the rising faces of Team USA’s roster, joining elite players in an event that has grown into a highly competitive showcase for MLB talent worldwide.
Balancing the demands of representing his country and preparing for the regular season requires physical endurance and mental focus, and reporters have been curious about how this dual workload might affect his spring routine.
That curiosity was addressed this week when Witt spoke about his mindset at Royals camp. “Asked Bobby Witt Jr about the difference in preparation for spring training when he’s also competing in the WBC. ‘Nothing too crazy. I feel more ready than I would be coming into any other spring training,’” reported Jack Johnson of Locked On Podcast Network. The comment suggests that Witt’s offseason work and preparation have put him in peak condition well before camp officially began.
Asked Bobby Witt Jr about the difference in preparation for spring training when he’s also competing in the WBC:
— Jack Johnson (@JohnyJ_15) February 16, 2026
“Nothing too crazy. I feel more ready than I would be coming into any other spring training.” #Royals
Witt’s 2025 season showcased why he is one of the game’s most dynamic players. He appeared in 157 games and hit .295 with 23 home runs and 88 RBIs while also swiping 38 bases.
He scored 99 runs and finished with an .852 OPS, ranking among the American League’s most impactful everyday performers. Those numbers helped him earn multiple awards, including an All‑Star selection, a Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove. He finished 4th in AL MVP voting.
His combination of contact ability, power, speed and defense makes him one of the most complete players in baseball, and the Royals have built much of their competitive outlook around his development. If he can carry that performance into 2026 while also competing at the international level, it would further cement his stature on both stages.
Witt’s confidence this spring is significant because it reflects his preparation and resilience. The transition from offseason to competitive action is notoriously challenging, but embracing the WBC as part of his routine appears to have energized rather than burdened him.
For Royals fans, hearing Witt speak confidently about readiness and conditioning offers optimism that he will step into the regular season prepared to lead once the WBC comes to an end.