30/30 vision: Witt Jr. nearing uncharted Royals territory

OAKLAND -- Bobby Witt Jr. is putting the finishing touches on a breakout season of an emergent career, and he’s making history in the process.

After the Royals’ star shortstop hit his 25th home run of the season in Monday night’s 6-4 walk-off loss to the A’s at the Coliseum, Witt is now five homers shy -- with 35 games remaining -- of becoming the first Royal with 30 homers and 30 stolen bases.

And with 37 stolen bases, the 23-year-old is also now the fifth primary shortstop (min. 75% games played at the position) in MLB history to have 25-plus homers and 35-plus stolen bases in a season -- and the first since Hanley Ramirez did it in 2007-08. Jimmy Rollins (2006-07), Alex Rodriguez (1998) and Barry Larkin (‘96) were the others.

Regardless of defensive position, Witt is the second Royal overall to put up those numbers. Carlos Beltrán did it from 2002-03 and in a split season with Kansas City and Houston in ‘04.

“It’s more motivation, to try to keep those things going,” Witt said. “You can be on the list, but you’ve just got to keep doing it, staying consistent with it. So that’s what I’m trying to keep doing, being prepared each and every day, not worry about what happened today, learn from what happened today and then wake up tomorrow on a new day and get after it.”

Of course, Witt simply wants to do everything he can to help his team win. His homer in the sixth off A’s starter Paul Blackburn -- a rocket with an exit velocity of 111.4 mph -- tied the game.

“I felt like I was executing all day,” Blackburn, who gave up two runs in six innings, said. “Even that homer that Witt hit in the sixth was a good pitch. That’s a good player. Sometimes good players hit good pitches.”

Witt golfed a curveball down in the zone and sent it a projected 426 feet toward the "Holy Toledo" sign above the center-field wall.

“It’s more so if I’m on time with the fastball, I’m able to catch those pitches out front,” Witt said. “Whenever they’re down and spinning, it can jump off my bat better.”

Royals right-hander Alec Marsh gave the lead back to the A’s when he threw a middle-middle fastball to catcher Shea Langeliers, who crushed it a projected 456 feet. Marsh had not yielded a home run in his previous two bulk relief appearances but has been hit hard by the long ball in his career so far. The right-hander has allowed 12 homers in 43 2/3 innings for a 2.47 HR/9 rate.

“It sucks,” Marsh said. “It’s not fun giving up home runs. I don’t really care if they’re solo shots, but in this case, it hurt us. … If one of those doesn’t happen, we might win that game. I think the only thing to do about it is just get better command.”

Marsh gave up three runs in 5 2/3 innings with nine strikeouts -- and a 38% whiff rate -- one walk and two hit batters. But the long ball was ultimately what cost the Royals the game, when reliever Dylan Coleman hit Ryan Noda to begin the bottom of the ninth and watched Brent Rooker launch a hanging cutter over the left-field wall to give the A’s the win.

Despite playing some close and competitive games recently, the Royals are still limping to the end of a disappointing season -- but watching Witt chase history should be must-watch entertainment for the next six weeks.

Entering Monday, Witt’s 4.9 fWAR this season was tied with Luis Robert Jr. for sixth best among Major League hitters. Witt will also be under consideration for the American League Gold Glove Award with 11 Outs Above Average at shortstop.

And he’s dangerous at the plate. Over Witt’s last 22 games since his walk-off grand slam on July 28, he leads the Majors with 17 extra-base hits, 75 total bases, a .798 slugging percentage and a 1.248 OPS.

“He’s hot,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “He’s been driving the ball. He hit a couple balls to right field today, too, that they caught, but he’s been on a tear.”

If he hits five more home runs, Witt will be the charter member of a club no other Royal has joined before.

“I don’t feel like you can set goals in this game because you don’t want to put a ceiling on anything,” Witt said. “So you've just got to keep working and keep coming to the field with an open mindset and be prepared each and every day.”