BY SALINA POST
On Monday, it was announced that Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. would be competing in the 2024 All-Star Week Home Run Derby.
This makes Witt just the fifth Royal in team history to compete in the event, joining Bo Jackson (1989), Danny Tartabull (1991) and Mike Moustakas (2017), and Salvador Perez (2021).
Witt grew up in Colleyville, TX, less than 20 miles from Arlington, the host site of this year's All Star Game and festivities.
The Royals slugger will compete alongside Gunnar Henderson (Orioles), Alec Bohm (Phillies), and Pete Alonso (Mets), who will be the only repeat contender in this year's derby.
Witt's 15 home runs to this point in the MLB season are the fewest of the field, but his towering shot of 468 feet is the longest hit by the group, which makes him an intriguing competitor.
The 2024 Home Run Derby will begin at 7:00 CST on Monday, July 15th, and will be aired on ESPN, ESPN.com, MLB.com, and MLB.tv.