Bobby Witt Jr. blasted two home runs for the Royals on Wednesday night, intensifying talks from fans that the young shortstop should be considered a top candidate for American League MVP.
Keith says those talks need to calm down, and fans need to remember that, even though he is being walked at a dizzying rate, Aaron Judge still resides in the American League.
“They’re gonna try and walk Judge, pitch around Judge…but Judge is just a machine,” Keith said. “I see all this talk about Bobby Witt Jr. for MVP, and I’m like chill, pump your brakes.”
Witt’s current torrid stretch has risen his season OPS to an even 1.000, still 158 points lower than Judge’s mark. Judge is batting .324 on the year, 25 points lower than Witt, but has nearly double the home run total of Witt with 19 more RBI. Witt has the advantage in the stolen base department, but Judge holds the edge in the WAR department, holding a total of 7.9 to Witt’s 7.5. Keith says the award is Judge’s to lose.
“Everyone wants to bring Bobby Witt Jr. from the Kansas City Royals into the MVP conversation because they’re not pitching to Judge,” Keith said. “But Judge is in the conversation with Joe DiMaggio and Babe Ruth. He’s getting all-time treatment and all-time respect.”