Windsorite heads to Australia to play ball
Local Tigers prospect Robson travels Down Under to suit up for Sydney Blue Sox
Windsor's Jacob Robson is trying to make up for lost time from a season cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 26-year-old Robson is in Australia doing a 14-day quarantine prior to joining the Sydney Blue Sox for the Australian Baseball League season.
“I've never been to Australia,” Robson said. “I'm really excited to go to a place I've never been.”
Playing outside of North America is nothing unusual for baseball players during the winter, but many head down to the Caribbean or Central America. Robson took that route last year, but after losing a full season he didn't want to take the risk.
“In the Dominican (Republic), a couple of bad games and you're on the chopping block,” Robson said. “Australia is not usually for guys close to the majors or in (class) AAA, but a lot of guys are in the same boat that I am and are looking to get at-bats, so I think the league will be better.”
Robson will join friend and fellow Tigers prospect Cam Gibson, who is the son of former Tiger
Kirk Gibson, with the Blue Sox.
“Jacob is a fantastic, integral signing for us,” Blue Sox manager Shane Barclay said in a release. “An exciting player for the Tigers organization currently knocking on the big league door.
“Robbie offers high level experience, a very good bat, outstanding wheels and an ability to play all three outfield positions well. A fine young man also, who I am sure will become a crowd favourite.”
Robson was recovering from a concussion at spring training with the Tigers when baseball was shutdown by the virus in March. He headed to Mississippi, where he had attended university, to work out and wait. However, when baseball returned in July, he wasn't part of Detroit's 60-man roster for the shortened season.
“I definitely didn't expect not to be playing or not be included in any of the Tigers' stuff,” Robson said. “I went home and there were a few college kids that were home for the summer from the Windsor area and I had some at-bats off them. Other than that, I haven't hit anything since spring training and mine was shortened ( by the injury). I haven't had too many appearances in the batter's box.”
Still, the virus will have an impact on the Australian Baseball League season. The 40-game
schedule, which normally begins in November, has been reduced to 24 games. Once his quarantine ends, Robson will have 10 days of training camp and scrimmages before the Blue Sox season begins on Dec. 17.
“It's been a weird year, for sure,” Robson said. “I can only control what I do on the field. The chance to play in Australia is something I can control and play baseball.”
The regular season finishes on Feb. 7, which is right before Major League Baseball spring training is set to begin in Florida.
“It's not an incredible amount
of games, so I won't be burnt out,” Robson said. “I think I'm making the right choice. It's a good chance to get my bearings back, face live pitching and it rolls right into February (when spring training for the Tigers begins).”
At this point, Robson is one of 18 players in the Tigers organization playing winter baseball.
“(The Tigers) were fine with it,” Robson said. “At the end of the day, I'm doing something good for my career and I'm just excited to be in Australia and compete.”