Robert lays out for clutch full-extension snag
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Luis Robert Jr.. Those two words usually conjure up images of mammoth home runs with dizzying exit velocities. The homers are certainly awe-inspiring, but there's much more to this five-tool rookie than his power at the plate.
Robert demonstrated that in the ninth inning of the White Sox 5-3 win over the Royals in Kansas City on Saturday night, making a spectacular catch in right-center field to rob Maikel Franco of extra bases. The center fielder, who is listed as 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, was shading Franco toward left-center field and had to sprint 86 feet to his left in 4.5 seconds to make a full-extension dive for the grab. His athleticism prevented the tying run from coming to the plate.
“He was playing me to pull,” Franco said. “I was laughing because I thought it was going to be a double, and then he made this great play.”
Added Royals manager Mike Matheny: “From where he started … that closing speed, I didn’t think he would be anywhere close to it.”
• Defense? Robert is elite at that, too
The play was incredibly difficult, as evidenced by the 15 percent catch probability assigned to it by Statcast, representing a five-star catch. Robert has not only been good defensively, he's been one of the best outfielders in baseball, according to Statcast. He entered the day tied for the MLB lead among outfielders with 5 Outs Above Average in 2020. Saturday's catch was, however, the first five-star play of his young career.
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“Just about every night he does something to make your jaws drop. I can’t say enough good things about him,” said White Sox starter Lucas Giolito. “The stuff you guys don’t see. How much work he puts in. How much he wants to learn. How much he wants to get better. He is an unbelievable player. He is only going to get better. I’m very happy he is on our team.”
White Sox manager Rick Renteria echoed the sentiment.
“That was a timely catch,” he said. “He ran a long way. ... It could have certainly changed the game if that ball falls.”
So, in addition to that .560 slugging percentage and 11 home runs, add outstanding outfielder to Robert’s credentials.
What will Robert do next? Whether it's at the plate, on the basepaths or in center field, we eagerly await, knowing it'll probably wow us even more somehow.