Deaf to hype, Robert keeps nose to grindstone

CHICAGO -- Take a look at the numerous preseason outlooks assessing the 2020 Major League Baseball season, and Luis Robert Jr.’s name often can be found next to the American League Rookie of the Year Award prognostication.

Some pundits have gone as far as to label the White Sox center fielder as one of the game’s next superstars. But those kinds of lofty compliments don’t really affect the 22-year-old possessing five-tool talent.

“Yeah, I see or hear all of that stuff,” Robert said Monday through interpreter Billy Russo. “I try to not pay attention to that.

“I know what I can do, and sometimes if you hear all that stuff, you’re going to have more pressure, and that might not be good for you. It’s good if people say that, but I just try to not pay too much attention.”

• Notes: Moncada held out of Sox Summer Camp

Watching Robert in action Monday during Summer Camp batting practice sessions at Guaranteed Rate Field did nothing to dispel these high-end notions. He has the ability to launch 30 home runs and steal 30 bases. He could be a .300 hitter while stabilizing the defense in center.

Robert’s numbers across 2019 stops with Class A Advanced Winston-Salem, Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte were MVP-worthy with a .328 average, 1.001 OPS, 36 stolen bases, 32 home runs, 108 runs scored and 92 RBIs. But a closer look at Robert the athlete might make it seem as though the native Cuban is better suited for playing in the NFL secondary with the Chicago Bears, checking in at a sturdy 6-foot-2, 210 pounds.

“Someone tweeted an Under Armor mannequin, and it's actually pretty accurate,” said White Sox right-hander Dylan Cease, whom Robert connected off of for a long drive to center during Monday’s live batting practice. “That's what he looks like. Besides today, I haven't really gotten an opportunity to watch him a whole lot. He squared me up good on one of them today, and he looks like he's going to be a very talented player.”

“You can find good or bad things with this dynamic we’re dealing with,” Robert said. “But now with all that’s happening, I will have almost a month to train in the ballpark before the season starts, and that’s an advantage. I really like the ballpark.”

Robert originally came to Chicago’s South Side on May 27, 2017, after agreeing to a Minor League contract that included a $26 million signing bonus. He signed a six-year, $50 million deal on Jan. 2, 2020, and he has yet to see a regular-season pitch in the Majors.

José Abreu, Eloy Jiménez and Yoán Moncada will provide guidance to Robert during his rookie campaign, with Jiménez’s advice being especially important following a slow start to the 2019 season and great recovery amid huge expectations. There will be less time for Robert to adjust in a 60-game season, but he didn’t seem worried Monday about handling such a challenge.

“I will need to make [adjustments] as fast as I can,” Robert said. “But once the season starts, and once I start to figure out what I need to improve on to get over the difficult times, I will know then.

“My expectations and goals are always the same: Give 100 percent always on the field, help the team as much as I can and hopefully go to the postseason. And if I’m lucky enough, maybe win the Rookie of the Year. Those are my goals, and if I stay healthy, I feel confident I can do that.”