Luis Robert homered twice in his 2019 debut Thursday night time at Class A Winston-Salem, a degree that appears beneath him. Talent sensible, there’s little question that it’s, and whereas a promotion to AA Birmingham shouldn’t be too far-off, anticipating to see the middle fielder in a White Sox uniform this season could be a stretch.
“He obviously had a pretty good night last night, so people are ready for him to be here next week,” normal supervisor Rick Hahn mentioned earlier than the Sox’ residence opener Friday at Guaranteed Rate Field.
“On one hand, from a tool set and talent standpoint, absolutely his tools are as strong as many at the big league level already. However, from a rawness, repetition, staying healthy for an extended period of time, we haven’t really addressed those issues just yet.”
Robert, 21, performed in all of 50 minor league video games final season due to accidents. And he has to show he can keep wholesome this summer time. In 2017, the 12 months the Sox signed him out of Cuba for $26 million, Robert was restricted to 28 video games within the Arizona Summer League as a result of accidents and logistics points transitioning from Cuba to the U.S.
Cuban outfielder Luis Robert smiles at a information conferences after signing with the White Sox on Saturday, May 27, 2017, in Chicago. (AP)
“There’s a lot of rust involved in that, not to mention the transition to a new culture,” Hahn mentioned. I believe we’re going to be in a significantly better place to reply questions on timeframe on Luis because the summer time unfolds and possibly on the finish of this season have a a lot firmer grasp. But from a expertise standpoint, I perceive the place the questions are coming from as a result of, yeah, he’s bought a world of expertise and we predict he’s going to be yet one more probably impactful man for us for the long run.”
Robert isn’t the one Sox prospect who had an enormous night time Thursday. First-round catcher Zack Collins additionally hit two homers and tripled for AAA Charlotte.
Just win (with whom it issues), child
Hahn mentioned if the Sox win a superb variety of video games this season — he threw out 81 for instance — it is going to be significant provided that they get there due to key core gamers within the rebuild resembling Carlos Rodon, Reynaldo Lopez, Lucas Giolito, Yoan Moncada, Tim Anderson and Eloy Jimenez.
“Or is it more on the backs of veteran type guys: Iván Nova and Welington Castillo, and older players doing their job and doing a nice job and as a result we won more than we did?” Hahn mentioned. “Those two paths put us in a very different position at the end of the 2019 season. Ideally it’s contributions from everybody, young and old, we win more than we lose and it’s a great summer and it’s also one that puts us in a position, entering 2020, feeling very good about how this young core is coming together and what we’re capable of doing over the next couple of seasons.”
No timetable for Jon Jay
Outfielder Jon Jay, on the injured listing with proper hip pressure, described his harm as “a little bit of everything. Just more and more groin area. It’s all that connective area.”
Jay noticed workforce medical doctors in Chicago and whereas he mentioned he’s enhancing, thre is not any timetable for a return.
“Just trying to get out there as fast as I can,” he mentioned.
Mama is aware of finest
Shortstop Tim Anderson is again after lacking the 2 video games in Cleveland on paternity go away. Anderson and spouse Bria’s new child woman is called Paxton Karter.
“To keep the PK,” Anderson mentioned. “My first daughter is Peyton Kensleigh. My wife comes up with all the ideas, I’m just a yes man.”
This and that
The Sox will want a fifth starter for the primary time Tuesday after they host the Rays, and are itemizing that begin as a TBA. Ervin Santana, who stayed again in Arizona, is the seemingly choice to be activated for that one.
Carlos Rodon pitches Monday, Reynaldo Lopez Wednesday.
*Dylan Covey, optioned to AAA Charlotte Thursday, will work there as a beginning pitcher, Renteria mentioned.