KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Bobby Witt Jr. started his postseason career by hitting the game-winning hit in each of the first two games in Kansas City's wild-card win over Baltimore.
But perhaps the best young player in the game got off to a much different start against the Yankees in the ALDS.
Heading into Wednesday's Game 3 at Kauffman Stadium, the third-year shortstop was completely suppressed by the Yankees' pitching staff, with no hits and four strikeouts in 10 at-bats.
“We've been pitching tough on him, but we know how good and dangerous he is,” manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday on a Zoom call from Yankees Stadium after the Yankees practiced in the Bronx. Ta. “We hope to continue implementing this in the future.”
The Yankees' pitchers have consistently left nothing off the plate to hit with wit, and they've done a good job of that thus far. And so far, I've been lucky when it happens.
Witt's series started in the top of the first inning with a 168 mph rocket from Gerrit Cole to Aaron Judge into the left-center gap.
Cole threw just one pitch beyond the plate to Witt in his first three at-bats as a shortstop on Saturday.
On the third, Witt sent it to the warning track in right field on the fifth, and Juan Soto brought the ball in.
Clay Holmes and Luke Weaver also paid attention to Witt, vividly telling the story of Holmes grounding out to third base and Weaver catching Witt in the ninth.
Carlos Rodon, who lost Game 2 on Monday, threw pitches away from the center of his at-bat against Witt, forcing him to retire twice.
Ian Hamilton, Holmes and Weaver then also avoided mistakes.
The strategy with Whitt has worked better than Baltimore's since the Orioles challenged him and hit three fastballs over 165 mph in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series.
“The Yankees have become more disciplined in their handling of Witt,” said one American League scout. “But they got away with some mistakes, but it won't last forever.”
Witt has been hitting well for the Yankees, posting an .864 OPS in 17 regular season games with the Yankees and an .887 OPS in seven regular season games this year.
Still, according to ESPN, Witt's OPS is just .494 against the current Yankees pitching staff, with one hit and two strikeouts in six at-bats against starting pitcher Clark Schmidt on Wednesday.
But Boone and the Yankees aren't taking anything for granted.
“When you have good pitching and it goes well, it usually favors the pitcher,” Boone said. “If they can perform at a high level, sometimes the best of the best players. I hope he continues to have success, but we know how good he is, how dangerous he is, how well-rounded a hitter he is.”
