Bobby Witt Jr. didn’t need to hit a home run to feel the energy. In fact, he barely had time to think. One second, he was standing on second base. Next, he was floating around the diamond, swept up in a moment so electric, it barely felt real. For the youngest player on Team USA’s 2023 World Baseball Classic roster, this wasn’t just another baseball memory; it was the kind that rewires how you see the game.

The swing belonged to Trea Turner, the Phillies’ $300 million shortstop and one of the tournament’s defining heroes. With Team USA trailing Venezuela in the late innings, Turner uncorked a grand slam so dramatic it sent the dugout, and every American fan watching, into chaos. And though Witt didn’t swing the bat, he was right in the middle of it all.

“I think just that Turner grand slam. I was on second for that,” Witt told Mookie Betts during their Bleacher Report sit-down. “I heard it hit, and after that, I felt like I was just floating around the bases. He said, I didn’t even hit it, and I was running around like, oh wow, this feels good.”

Bobby Witt lit up as he described the reaction: the dugout emptying, players mobbing home plate like it was a walk-off, even though it wasn’t. “It was not a Little League moment, but everyone was out of the dugout, all surrounding home… That was good stuff.”

For Witt, that moment perfectly captured the essence of his WBC experience: intensity, unity, and awe. Though he saw limited action during the tournament, he soaked in every detail. He watched legends prepare, observed how they communicated in the cage, and recognized the reason so many of them had rings on their fingers.

“It was an honor just to be around you guys,” Witt told Betts. “The biggest thing I took away from it was everyone just wanted to win. It’s very selfless, guys… there’s a reason why they’re studs.”

Come 2026, Witt won’t be watching from the sidelines. After a breakout 2024, he’s expected to be one of the cornerstones of Team USA. And you can bet that moment, Turner’s swing, the rush, the pride will still be echoing in his mind as he writes his own chapter in WBC history.

Snubbed at the finish line: Bobby Witt Jr. falls just short

Bobby Witt Jr. won’t be taking the field as a starter at this year’s MLB All-Star Game, and for many fans, it feels like a snub. The Royals’ dynamic shortstop lost a tight Phase 2 vote to Athletics rookie Jacob Wilson, who secured 52% of the final tally. It’s a surprising result given Witt’s growing status as one of the most complete players in baseball, and the fact that this would’ve marked his first All-Star Game start.

Statistically, Witt holds the edge in several key areas. Wilson has achieved 11 home runs and 45 RBIs while also stealing 21 bases and showcasing top-tier defensive skills that place him eighth in MLB with a 12 outs above rating. Wilson’s standout 339 batting average and 11 extra hits set him apart; however lags behind in other areas compared to Witt, particularly on the defensive end. While the fan vote predominantly favored Wilson’s performance, Witt’s comprehensive excellence couldn’t be overlooked.

Still, Bobby Witt won’t be left out of the festivities. He is anticipated to secure a spot on the American League roster as a backup for the year when complete rosters are revealed on Sunday at 6 p.m.. Though it marks another All-Star recognition for him at 25 years old, it’s disheartening not to have a starting position despite a performance in the part of the season. Given his skillset, determination, and increasing reputation, across the nation, Witt’s moment to shine brightly is approaching.

But for now, the chip on his shoulder only grows.