In a recent announcement, the Kansas City Royals declared infielder Bobby Witt Jr. and left-handed pitcher Daniel Lynch as the Royals Player and Pitcher of the Month, respectively, for June. These accolades are determined through a vote conducted by local media.
Bobby Witt Jr. emerged as a standout performer last month, leading the team with 12 runs batted in (RBI) and 28 hits. In 26 games, he maintained an impressive slash line of .280/.336/.380 (28-for-100). Witt Jr. achieved eight multi-hit games and recorded six stolen bases, tying him for the sixth-highest stolen base count in the American League during June. Notably, his impactful multi-hit performance occurred during the Royals’ remarkable 10-9 comeback victory over the Angels on June 17. Witt Jr. contributed four RBI to the team’s 10-run effort and presented the game ball to walk-off hero Samad Taylor after the game. This marked his third career game with at least four RBI. Two days later, on June 19, Witt Jr. hit his 12th home run of the season and second within a six-game span, breaking a scoreless tie against the Detroit Tigers with a solo shot in the fourth inning off Reese Olson. The home run traveled 442 feet, falling just short of matching his career-long home run of 443 feet on June 3, 2022, against the Houston Astros. Witt Jr. also celebrated his 23rd birthday on June 14 against the Cincinnati Reds, becoming the eighth Royal (and tenth instance overall) to achieve a three-hit game on his birthday. Notably, he was the youngest player to accomplish this feat at the age of 23. This is Witt Jr.’s second career monthly honor, with his previous award received in June of the previous year. He becomes the first Royals position player since Alex Gordon to win at least one award in consecutive seasons at the start of his career. Gordon earned three monthly titles from 2007-08.
Daniel Lynch showcased his pitching prowess throughout June, leading the Royals in innings pitched with a total of 31.0 spanning five starts. In each of his final four starts of the month, he pitched at least 6.0 innings, displaying consistency on the mound. Lynch allowed 14 runs overall, with half of them occurring during his start against the Cincinnati Reds on June 14 when he surrendered four home runs in a season-high 7.0 innings. However, in his remaining four starts, Lynch maintained an impressive 2.63 ERA, allowing seven earned runs in 24.0 innings. On June 20, Lynch delivered his standout performance of the season, pitching 7.0 scoreless innings and allowing only one hit and two walks. His exceptional outing earned him his first win of the 2023 season, contributing to the Royals’ 1-0 shutout victory over the Tigers. With this performance, Lynch became the first Royals left-hander since Danny Duffy to allow no more than one hit over 7.0 scoreless innings. Duffy achieved this feat during his club-record 16-strikeout game against the Tampa Bay Rays on August 1, 2016. Lynch’s start also marked his second consecutive 7.0-inning outing, making him the first Royals pitcher since Kris Bubic in July 2022 to accomplish back-to-back 7.0-inning starts. This recognition as the Royals Pitcher of the Month represents Lynch’s first career monthly award.
