Under Armour to release card-themed Bobby Witt Jr. cleats
On June 18, Under Armour will drop a player-exclusive cleat and turf shoe for Bobby Witt Jr., a move that, on the surface, reads as a standard brand decision for one of baseball’s best young players. But for Witt, it’s the ultimate “Dream Pull.”
“It’s just one of those things that you think about growing up as a kid, and you see the guys that have that, and now to be able to have my own for other kids to go after is really special,” Witt said of the upcoming release.
“Dream Pull” is inspired by the thrill of ripping a pack of baseball cards and chasing a big hit. It’s that collector’s high that has driven recent growth in the hobby and prompted pro players like Witt to collect.
“When we were thinking about what the concept could be, that was really the first idea we had, and we just ran with it,” Witt said. “I’ve been into cards since I was a kid and that’s kind of become something I’m known for now, so just combining the two passions — baseball and card collecting — on the field is really special.”
The holographic print finish mimics the look of chromium trading cards. On the heel, the bubble is stamped with “GM” representing Gem Mint, the highest grade in the hobby.
The “Gem Mint” designation on the back of Bobby Witt Jr.’s “Dream Pull.” (Photo courtesy of Under Armour)
“I think that the Under Armour team did a great job capturing some of the elements of cards and card collecting in the details on the shoe,” Witt said. “We wanted to create a design that looked like a ‘chase card’ to stand out. Their team took that feedback and created an all-new design that feels like some of the finishes and styles you see from the card companies.”
The most significant detail on the Dream Pull is the logo, though.
For the first time, Witt’s “JR” mark is embossed along with his signature on the tongue of the cleat, a detail previously reserved only for his personal pairs. His logo, alongside the Under Armour mark, is printed inside the bubble on the shoe’s side.
“It’s just cool to have something that is your own,” Witt said. “And it’s special to get some gear that has not only the Under Armour logo but also a logo that represents me. I think the best part is getting that gear and sharing with my family and seeing them get to wear it too.
“My family has called me Junior pretty much since I was born, so I was always just Junior. I never got the chance to see my dad play so I didn’t really know him as a baseball player. But once I got to understand the game and what he did in his career I think I have always just been proud to carry the name and have the Junior attached. Some people might see it as pressure to kinda do what he did, but I just am grateful to have him as my cheat sheet and to have him throughout the process growing up.”
Tucked inside the release is a collaboration with Panini America. Under Armour worked with Panini to create two Witt cards. One is a Sneaker Spotlight, and the other is a Color Blast, two popular inserts carried over from Panini’s annual card sets. In both cards, Witt is sporting the Dream Pull.
Collectors and fans have multiple ways to get the new footwear. Starting on June 18, limited quantities of the Dream Pull will be available in both cleat and turf versions on Under Armour’s website and mobile app, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Academy.com. Anyone who purchases through Dick’s Sporting Goods receives an exclusive Panini card in the box. But on June 20, a Dick’s Sporting Goods location in Kansas City will stock pairs with some boxes containing randomly placed autographed Witt Jr. cards. (The Dream Pull PE will be playable in MLB The Show 2026’s “Road to the Show” game mode.)
Witt Jr. himself is “honestly just most excited about the autos. … I think being a collector, when some of the autos start to come out that will be cool to see people chase those.”
Witt’s passion for trading cards goes back to when he was a kid. (Photos courtesy of Bobby Witt Jr.)
Another Under Armour athlete, Bryce Harper, did something similar in 2024 with a PSA grading collaboration. That partnership turned a cleat drop into a cultural moment for the hobby. The difference this time around is that collecting is far more a part of who Witt is.
Witt grew up collecting his dad’s cards. Bobby Witt Sr. was a MLB pitcher for 16 years, and somewhere in their house in Colleyville, Texas, was a stack of cards that his kid was enamored with since he never got to see his dad play.
Witt is an investor and brand ambassador for CollX, a sports card scanning app. His bdubs.cards Instagram account, where he shares his personal collection, now has over 20,000 followers who track his cards of Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady, Drake Maye, and, of course, himself.
In 2024, Witt and Corbin Carroll partnered with PSA to create the first “game-used cards.” And for his wedding, Witt asked his groomsmen to stand beside him with custom-graded cards.
For Witt, collecting isn’t just a gimmick. It’s a tangible part of his life.
“Dream Pull marks a meaningful milestone in Under Armour’s partnership with Bobby Witt Jr.,” said Trey Evans, Under Armour director of Americas sports marketing. “We’ve been building with Bobby since his early days in the UA Next All-America Baseball Games, so to bring his first custom Yard Icon to retail is a true full-circle moment.”
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