Luis Robert Jr has been nominated for another honor after his breakout 2023 campaign. On Thursday the MLB announced that Robert is a nominee for the 2023 All-MLB team, which recognizes the best performers of the regular season.
Robert being up for the All-MLB team should come as no surprise. The 26-year-old got it done on both sides of the ball. Had the White Sox produced a better record Robert would have been a legitimate MVP candidate.
The White Sox center fielder became the first player in franchise history to hit at least 35 home runs, 35 doubles, and swipe 20 bases in one season. Robert’s 38 home runs were the second most in the AL. He also stole 20 bases, drove in 80 RBIs, and owned the third-highest slugging percentage (.542) among qualified American League hitters. Meanwhile, his expected slugging percentage ranked in the MLB’s top nine percentile.
His defensive work was equally impressive. Robert was tied with Kevin Kiermaier, who won the Gold Glove Award, for the highest center field Outs Above Average in the American League at +13. That placed Robert in the MLB’s top 98th percentile.
Robert recorded 370 putouts, the most by any outfielder in the MLB. His 2.81 Range Factor Per/9 innings, which measures the number of putouts and assists per inning played, was the highest in the MLB. He also produced the most double plays from center field in the league and ranked in the top five in fielding percentage, Range Factor Per Game, and defensive games played in center field.
Not only did Robert excel on the stat sheet, he also passed the eye test. Robert produced a highlight reel full of jaw-dropping plays which included multiple home run robberies. One such play included a catch at the wall where Robert had to cover 102 feet of ground in 5.3 seconds to secure an out on a ball with a 5% catch probability.
A fan vote will decide the award. Fans can vote daily for the best at each position through November 19th.
