SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Friday marks the first checkpoint of the Royals’ Spring Training: It’s their first team off-day, they’ve made a flurry of roster moves to send depth and young players to Minor League camp and, after Thursday’s win over the Brewers, they have the best record (9-3) in the Cactus League.

In other words, it’s a great day for an Inbox. Let’s get started:

What are your thoughts on whether Bobby Witt Jr. looks visually ready for the big leagues or if his success is circumstantial to Spring Training pitching and his natural talent?
-- @nickwhartonkc, via Twitter

The Royals’ top prospect and the No. 8 prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline, has done it all this spring. He reached base and scored on an error in left field, showing his speed and good instincts. He hit at 484-foot home run, showing his power. He flashed the leather at second base, showing his strong defensive skills.

Bobby Witt Jr. has had a very good spring. But that doesn’t mean he’ll start the season on the 40-man roster.

Witt, 20, has yet to make his Major League debut since being drafted No. 2 overall in 2019, but he’s spent time in big league camp over the past two years, including Summer Camp in Kansas City last year. So, he’s faced big league pitching and the Royals’ top pitching prospects, as well as some of their big league pitching, at the alternate training site last year.

Beyond just the question of service-time that comes with bringing up a prospect, the first thing that pops into my mind when someone asks me if Witt should be in the big leagues is this: Will he get playing time? The Royals want to bring Witt up to play and play every day -- not just to be on the bench. Moreover, they want him to play and to stay. The Royals don’t have a big reason to rush Witt -- barring an injury, Adalberto Mondesí is the starting shortstop, and the club’s actions this offseason expressed its confidence in starting the season with Nicky Lopez at second base. If something happens in the middle infield before the season, Hanser Alberto has the experience to step in anywhere on the infield.

It’s hard to make judgements based on Spring Training -- both good and bad performances – because you never know what pitchers and hitters are working on that day. But it’s also hard to ignore the “wow” moments Witt has had. There’s no question that there’s something different about his presence and maturity that resonates in the clubhouse that fans don’t see in highlight videos or game broadcasts. He’s getting close to being ready, even without much Minor League experience.

But, realistically, I think Witt will start the season in Double-A or even Triple-A. From there, he can hit his way to the big leagues.

How does Wade Davis look? Also, who is the closer?
-- @bengrimm1969

Davis looks good. His fastball velocity is higher than what it was clocked at last year, and it has some good movement to it. He also hasn’t given up a hit in four innings this spring. If he continues to command the ball the way he has been this spring, he looks to be on track for a roster spot this year.

Closing duties might depend on the day. Royals manager Mike Matheny’s philosophy last year trended toward using your highest-leverage reliever -- typically your closer -- in the highest-leverage situations. Sometimes, that was the sixth or seventh inning. Greg Holland took over save opportunities when Trevor Rosenthal was traded last year, and you’ll likely see Holland in those situations again this year, too. Josh Staumont, Jesse Hahn and Davis are other names to consider when in need of a save.

Is Josh Staumont OK?
-- @TheBaconIsBack

Staumont is fine right now. He threw one inning in a simulated game on Thursday, and the next step is to get him in a Cactus League game. The right-hander was delayed getting into camp for undisclosed reasons, so that set his timeframe back. And when he did get here, the Royals eased him into his schedule because of a break in his throwing program.

But he looked good during his outing Thursday. There wasn’t a radar gun where the media stood, but it looked and sounded like the velocity was working for him.

Who do you think looks best from the ‘19 Draft?
-- @tylercf

The easy answer is Witt. But I’ll say he doesn’t count for this question. Right-hander Alec Marsh was the Royals’ Competitive Balance Round pick in 2019 -- No. 70 overall -- out of Arizona State and has made significant strides in the past year, even without Minor League games. He has only had one Cactus League outing, but he flashed all his stuff and pitched a scoreless inning. Marsh has a power arm, with a fastball that runs up to 97-98 mph, two distinct breaking balls in a curveball and slider, and a changeup that is probably his most-improved pitch from when he was at ASU.

Marsh is a big guy at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, and he’s an extremely hard worker and competitor. He’s a legitimate prospect for the Royals and someone to keep an eye on in 2021.

Is there any reason to be worried about Hunter Dozier batting .067?
-- @Bonsell4

I wouldn’t be too concerned. Fifteen at-bats is an incredibly small sample size, and he’s beginning to get his timing down at the plate. Just like how pitchers work on different things in their outings, hitters do the same, like seeing or taking pitches, situational hitting or just simply trying to get a good swing. Sometimes that leads to weak contact or more strikeouts.

Not to mention, Dozier cranked a home run on Monday that looked like the power could easily be unlocked.

Clearly, fans want to see the Royals win the World Series, but how do you predict the Royals will do this year?
-- @KurtisRussell

I think the Royals would agree that they want to win every game and win the World Series, too. But, a 162-0 season has never been done before. As the saying goes, “You win some, you lose some.”

All jokes aside, I think the Royals could find their footing this year after four straight years of losing records. They aren’t on the level of the White Sox or Twins, who have dominant lineups and tough pitching. Cleveland still has the pitching that might put them above the Royals, too.

If they can stay healthy, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Royals cause some problems for teams around the American League, especially in the division. As for the number of wins or postseason contention, it’s too early to tell, but I don’t think there will be as big of a gap between the division winner and the third- or fourth-place finisher as there has been in recent years.