Luis Robert Jr. is the only reason to watch the White Sox right now. The 26-year-old has been a human highlight reel all season and is making some White Sox history along the way.
On Wednesday Robert joined a unique club after crushing his 35th home run and 70th RBI of the season. The homer added to his career-high total in both categories and made him just the fourth player in White Sox history to hit 35 home runs and steal 15 bases in a season.
The only other players to accomplish the feat are Dick Allen, Carlton Fisk, and Todd Frazier. Allen hit 37 home runs and stole 19 bases in 1972. Fisk hit 37 homers and swiped 17 bags as a 37-year-old catcher in 1985. Frazier was the last White Sox player before Robert to hit the milestone when he belted 40 home runs and stole 15 bases for the 2016 White Sox.
Robert has a career-high 17 stolen bases on the year, which is also a career-high and is looking to add to that total before the season is up in an attempt to join the elusive 30/30 club. He has the tools to do it. It’s just a matter if he has the time.
“I was happy to reach that mark today,” Robert said through interpreter Billy Russo when asked about his home run total. “That was the most I have had at any level. I am very happy about that.”
The White Sox lone All-Star this season is slashing .271/.325/.561 with a 5.3 WAR. He leads the team in home runs, RBIs, stolen bases, runs scored, slugging percentage, OPS, hits, extra-base hits and games played.
His go-ahead home run in the third inning on Wednesday at Camden Yards traveled 405 feet and left his bat at 102.5 mph. Robert is just the 14th player in franchise history to reach the 35-home run mark. It was one of two hits on the day for Robert who helped lead the White Sox to a 10-5 victory over the Orioles and avoid a sweep.
“Obviously everybody can see the power,” White Sox manager Pedro Grifol told reporters after the game. “You know what I see? I see him beat out a base hit, ground ball straight to the third baseman. That’s what separates superstars like him.”
Just chalk it up as another day of Robert doing amazing things.
