It’s hard to imagine anyone else in Kansas City wearing that single digit right now. Bobby Witt Jr. number 7 has become as synonymous with the Royals' resurgence as the fountains at Kauffman Stadium. When he first broke into the league in 2022, there was a fair amount of chatter about what he’d choose. He was the golden boy, the "save the franchise" prospect. He could’ve had almost any number that wasn't hanging on the Hall of Fame building out in left field. He chose 7. It looks clean on a jersey, sure, but there's a lot more gravity to that choice than just "it looked cool in high school."
Honestly, jersey numbers in baseball are weirdly sacred. They’re like identity markers. Fans buy the threads, they glue the patches to their kids' backpacks, and they associate those digits with specific eras. For Witt, the 7 isn't just a placeholder. It’s a bridge between the old guard of Royals championship grit and the new, high-speed era he's currently leading.
The Story Behind the Number 7
Why 7? Well, you have to look at the history of the franchise to see why it carries weight. For a long time, if you saw a number 7 patrolling the grass in KC, you were looking at Alex Gordon. Gordon was the heartbeat of the 2014-2015 World Series teams. He was the guy who would sprint full speed into a foam-padded wall just to snag a foul ball in April. When Gordon retired in 2020, the number sat vacant for a bit.
When Witt Jr. was coming up through the system, people wondered if he'd go with something unique. In the minors, he bounced around a little bit, but 7 felt right for the "next big thing." It’s a shortstop’s number. It’s slim. It’s fast. Mickey Mantle made it iconic, and while Witt isn't a Yankee, he carries that same five-tool aura where he can beat you with a 450-foot bomb or a 30-foot bunt.
He didn't just stumble into it. There’s a certain level of confidence required to take the number of a guy who just won seven Gold Gloves for your franchise. It says, "I know who came before me, and I’m ready for the comparison."
Putting Up the Stats to Match the Hype
By the time we hit the 2025 season, the number 7 was already cemented in Royals lore for a second time. Last year, Witt was absolutely tearing the cover off the ball. He finished the 2025 campaign with a .295 average and 23 home runs. But the real kicker? The 38 stolen bases. He’s essentially a blur on the basepaths.
The consistency is what's really terrifying for the rest of the AL Central. Look at his 2024 and 2025 output combined. We’re talking about a guy who is consistently hovering around a .300 batting average while playing elite defense at the hardest position on the diamond.
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- 2024 Highlights: 32 HR, 31 SB, .332 AVG (A monster year)
- 2025 Highlights: 23 HR, 38 SB, .295 AVG
- Career fWAR: Already pacing toward Hall of Fame trajectories
Most players have a "sophomore slump" or a period where the league figures them out. Witt just seems to adjust faster than the pitchers do. If they start throwing him slider-heavy counts, he just stays back and drives them to the opposite field. If they challenge him with heat, he turns on it. It’s basically a chess match where he’s three moves ahead.
The Contract and the Long-Term Legacy
One reason why you see so many Bobby Witt Jr. number 7 jerseys in the stands at "The K" is job security. Fans aren't afraid to buy the jersey because he isn't going anywhere. In early 2024, the Royals did something they almost never do: they broke the bank.
They signed Witt to a massive 11-year extension worth roughly $288.7 million. That keeps him in royal blue through at least 2030, with options that could keep him there until 2037. By the time that contract is up, he’ll likely have every offensive record in franchise history.
Entering the 2026 season, his salary jumps to about $13 million in base pay. For a guy producing 10+ WAR seasons like he did in 2024, that’s a bargain. He’s the face of the team. He’s the guy they put on the tickets. He’s the reason the city is actually excited about a new stadium downtown.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Number
There’s a common misconception that Witt chose 7 because of his dad, Bobby Witt Sr. But his dad actually wore number 32 for a huge chunk of his career as a pitcher with the Rangers. The 7 is really about Bobby Jr. carving his own path.
He did wear number 42 briefly during Jackie Robinson Day celebrations—as every player does—but outside of those league-mandated changes, he’s been remarkably loyal to the 7. Even when he plays for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, he tries to stick to that identity. It’s his brand now.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
As we head into 2026, the expectations are basically "MVP or bust." He finished high in the voting the last couple of years, and he’s only 25. He’s entering his physical prime. The roster around him has improved too, with guys like Vinnie Pasquantino and a revamped rotation giving him the support he needs to actually win games, not just put up empty stats.
If you’re a collector or a casual fan, here is what you need to know about his gear and his status:
- Jersey Availability: The "City Connect" 7 jersey remains the top seller in the Royals' team store. The navy blue with the fountain logo is basically the unofficial uniform of Kansas City right now.
- Memorabilia Value: Because of the long-term contract, Witt’s rookie cards and signed #7 jerseys have stabilized in price. They are "blue chip" investments in the hobby.
- WBC 2026: Keep an eye on the World Baseball Classic. Witt has already committed to playing for Team USA again. While he might have to wiggle on the number depending on seniority (Trea Turner or other veterans might have dibs), he’ll be the spark plug for that lineup regardless of what’s on his back.
The reality is that Witt Jr. is doing things we haven't seen in Kansas City since George Brett was roaming third base. He’s faster than Carlos Beltrán was in his prime. He’s got more power than most shortstops can dream of. And he’s doing it all with a number 7 on his back that used to represent "grit" but now represents "superstardom."
If you’re looking to track his progress this season, pay attention to his stolen base success rate. He’s becoming one of the smartest baserunners in the game, not just the fastest. He’s stopped gambit-running and started picking his spots, which is why his caught-stealing numbers dropped significantly between 2023 and 2025.
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For those looking to catch a game, the Royals' schedule in 2026 is front-loaded with divisional matchups. Seeing Witt take on the Tigers or the Guardians at home is usually your best bet to see him go deep.
Keep an eye on the official MLB shop for limited edition drops. They usually release special "Gold Glove" or "Silver Slugger" editions of the number 7 jersey if he bags more hardware this winter.