SURPRISE, Ariz. -- During the offseason, Bobby Witt Jr. reached out to Alan McDougal, his former head coach at Colleyville Heritage High School in Texas. The Royals’ star shortstop was gearing up for Spring Training, but he wanted to do something for his high school baseball team and needed information from McDougal.

Shoe sizes.

Because Witt is an Under Armour-sponsored athlete, he was able to buy cleats for Colleyville’s entire baseball team to get them ready for the 2023 season. He also bought shoes and jackets for the coaching staff.

“In high school, we would all wear the same cleats, and now that I have the opportunity with Under Armour, I was able to give back to them,” Witt said. “I’m always using the field, doing this and that there, so it’s cool to be able to give back and see them representing the brand. It’s the least I could do. It’s my home. I still live there. They deserve it.”

• Box score: Royals 6, Rangers 5

At 22 years old, Witt is about to embark on his second season in the Majors. First, he’ll compete for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic on a star-studded roster. Witt wants to soak up the experience of sharing a clubhouse and field with stars like Mike Trout, Mookie Betts and Nolan Arenado.

But Witt belongs there, too.

“Everybody is talking about Bobby,” Royals infield coach José Alguacil, who came over from the Nationals’ organization. “Not just in Kansas City.”

After the WBC, Witt will open the Royals’ season as their starting shortstop, a face of the franchise and a young leader in a young clubhouse. He spent the offseason watching Kansas City Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes lead his team to a second Super Bowl victory and earn his second NFL MVP Award. Mahomes and Witt are connected by more than just the city they play in -- they’ve worked out with the same trainer and are both fueled by the drive to compete and win.

Witt wants to bring Kansas City more of what the Chiefs have in the past five years.

“It’s just incredible to see because I can see behind the scenes, the work ethic Mahomes puts in,” Witt said. “He’s truly a role model for me. So, I’m really trying to follow in his footsteps now. That’s definitely the goal. It’s motivation for us. It’s our job to step up.”

Witt took something else from the Super Bowl a few weeks ago, though. A quote from losing Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts stuck with Witt.

“You either win or you learn.”

After his rookie year, Witt could relate. The Royals lost 97 games in 2022, leading to changes in the offseason. Under first-year general manager J.J. Picollo, Kansas City brought in several new coaches, including manager Matt Quatraro. The club traded away veteran players in the past year to make room for the young core the Royals view as key to their next contending team.

At the center of that core is Witt, and his rookie year saw flashes of success and struggles. He hit 20 homers and stole 30 bases, while slashing .254/.294/.428.

“It was a lot of learning last year,” Witt said. “This year, hopefully we can change it to the winning side.”

Stitched onto Witt’s glove this year is the word “Simple.” He used to write it on his bats as a reminder of his approach at the plate. He occasionally wrote it on his glove last year.

This year, it’s permanent.

“It’s a mantra for me,” Witt said. “This world is crazy with all the stuff going on. If you keep things simple, go out there and have fun, that’s the best way to live life. Last year at times, I was getting caught up in a lot. But I know for me to be my best, I need to be me and be simple.”

Part of Witt’s learning process last year was realizing how quickly the game speeds up in the big leagues, both at the plate and in the field. Witt relishes the big moment, but he’s also acknowledged he can make the moment bigger than it is by trying to prove too much.

There is a comfort that surrounds Witt this spring. No longer just trying to make the team, Witt is in a clubhouse full of his friends, teammates he grew up with in the Minor Leagues. He knows more about what it takes and what his body needs to play a full MLB season.

And by keeping it simple, he’s letting his talent play.

“As time went on last year, I think you saw Bobby get more comfortable,” hitting coach Alec Zumwalt said. “He’s more prepared now than he’s ever been. To me, now, the real chess match begins with Bobby and the league. He’s smart enough that he’s going to stay a step ahead."