Luis Robert Jr. is the closest thing the Sox have to a five-tool player. He’s fast, he can field, he has a great arm, and he can hit for power and average. Unfortunately, he has been hurt so he hasn’t been able to play a full season with the Sox. But in Houston, his glove was on full display.
Robert’s Glove Makes Up For The Bat
After getting two hits in the first game, Robert seemed to be lost at the plate for the next two. He was striking out almost every at-bat and looked overmatched at the plate. Through those three games, he led the league in strikeouts. That wasn’t what the White Sox expected out of their two-hole hitter.
But, when you’re struggling with the bat, you can make up for it in other ways. Saving the game with some great catches is one way to do that.
In the third game of the series, Kyle Tucker smoked a ball in the right-center gap. It looked like a surefire double. But, the ball hung up just enough for Robert to make a jumping catch at the wall. Plays like this win you a gold glove. They also make people forget about what you did in your last at-bat.
While the Sox would end up blowing that game, it gave Giolito some positive momentum and he looked great from that point on in the game. Providing good defense allows pitchers to pitch to contact and not have to worry about people missing the ball. If Robert continually makes plays like this, the pitching staff will owe him a lot of nice dinners.
Luis Makes It Look Easy
With two real outfielders around him, Luis is able to roam centerfield without having to worry if someone is going to crash into him. That showed this series with some incredible catches.
In back-to-back games, Robert robbed Kyle Tucker of an extra-base hit. People knew Robert was fast, but he moves at a speed not many people can reach.
In the 9th inning of yesterday’s game, Kyle Tucker smoked a ball into the left-center gap. Robert was playing in right-center so left-fielder Andrew Benintendi was much closer to the ball. After it seemed like the ball was going to find green, Robert came out of nowhere and made an insane catch.
He was able to travel 113 feet of space, running at 30.2 feet per second. These are elite numbers. If Robert is fielding like this, nothing will find the ground in center.
While at the time it did not seem like the catch saved the game, after the inning progressed, it seemed more and more likely that it did. It seems Lopez may owe one to Robert.
His defense carried into the home opener as he robbed what would have been Joc Pederson’s second home run of the day. That catch also saved Michael Kopech from the wrong side of history, as he would have given up 6 home runs, tying the record for most ever by an American League Pitcher.
It seems like Robert is giving us a highlight every day. If he can keep it up, he will win the first gold glove of his career.
His Defense Continues To Improve
Last year the advanced fielding analytics did not love Robert. Some people also thought that he left some to be desired out there. But that’s not the case this year.
Although it’s early, he is in the 100th percentile in outfielder jump and 96th in sprint speed per Baseball Savant. Those are absolutely elite numbers and they could translate to a platinum glove.
Besides the two highlight reel catches, Robert made some nice sliding catches and showed off his range throughout the series. It is a wonder what being healthy can do for you.
As Robert’s bat continues to heat up, he will show off the five-tool stardom that he will display on a daily basis.
GOOD