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KANSAS CITY -- One year ago Sunday, Bobby Witt Jr. turned on an inside fastball from Twins closer Jhoan Duran and sent it over the Sonic sign in left field at Kauffman Stadium for a walk-off grand slam.

At the time, the 101.8 mph pitch was tied for the fifth-fastest offering on a home run in the pitch-tracking era (since 2008). It was the first walk-off hit of Witt’s career and the seventh walk-off grand slam in Royals history.

And 365 days later, anyone around the team and Kansas City fans all seem to know what you’re talking about when you say, “Bobby’s grand slam.”

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“I remember the pitch and the swing and where the ball went,” starter Brady Singer said. “One of the best at-bats I’ve ever seen. A 102 mph sinker on the inside. It wasn’t even inside -- it almost hit him. The place just erupted. One of the many highlights that will be in his career.”

Witt still describes it as one of the most special moments of his career. He’s added a few more of those this year.

“It was one of those aha moments in the big leagues,” Witt said. “Those situations are the fun part. I feel like that’s what separates you from being a good player to a great player, if you can do it in crunch time. That’s what I want to be able to do in those situations.

“Whenever I’m on time, I feel like I can hit any pitch that strong.”

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Last season was not much fun for anybody in the Royals’ organization or the fans. It was so disappointing that it’s somewhat a point of frustration when last year -- or the complete turnaround from last year -- is brought up by external sources. Last year is over, and Kansas City feels like it has a completely different team in 2024.

But Witt’s grand slam will certainly not be forgotten. Partly because of what it meant that day in the midst of that season -- and partly because it announced Witt’s superstardom.

Witt has played 161 games dating to one year ago, during which he’s slashed .335/.381/.592 with 32 homers, 116 RBIs and 44 stolen bases. His 10.3 fWAR in that span leads the Majors. His 162 wRC+ ranks seventh in that span, trailing only Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Marcell Ozuna, Juan Soto, Mookie Betts and Bryce Harper.

And Witt’s only getting better.

“What makes Bob so special is that he does unbelievable things, but he makes it look so easy,” hitting coach Alec Zumwalt said. “What we’re seeing with him right now, he’s just taking his ‘A’ swing on any type of pitch and getting on base. He looks so relaxed -- like he did in that moment and stretch last year. That’s his secret to success.”