Roberson keeps perspective
Catcher appreciates time in Red Sox organization
PAWTUCKET — Tim Roberson is a career minor-league catcher who gets it.
You won’t find his name mentioned as a potential backstop-of-the-future for the Boston Red Sox. The only reason Roberson is active member of the Pawtucket Red Sox is due to the TripleA club needing a second catcher after Blake Swihart earlier this week landed on the disabled list.
Meanwhile, Roberson sits just under two weeks shy of his 28th birthday, and is in the midst of his first season in Triple-A with the PawSox. He’s been in the Red Sox system since 2011, when he signed as an undrafted free agent out of Florida Gulf Coast University.
His own days as a perceived up-andcomer are over, and going forward his career will only be seen through the prism of what is, rather than what could be. Minor league veterans such as Roberson are expected to stand off to the side while attention is paid toward the prospects still on the rise. At the same time, they are expected to keep their heads held high, never sulk and never question why the spotlight isn’t shining on them.
Roberson himself is open about his place on the roster. The Florida native understands that, for starters, you need patience in order to survive as long as he has in the minors.
“You’ve got to realize that you’re blessed with an opportunity. Once you keep that perspective, the sporadic playing time really becomes a non-issue,” Roberson said while sitting in the PawSox dugout on Friday. “Every guy is talented and on this team for a reason. I didn’t get drafted, but I thought I was a good player in college. Along the way, I’ve learned the importance of controlling the things I can control and let my playing ability take care of the rest. That’s what has allowed me to get noticed and climb through the system.”
But that self-awareness hasn’t dulled his competitiveness, or made Roberson alter his approach to the game. Make no mistake, Roberson is still a ballplayer at heart who loves to play the game and remains a believer in his own abilities.
“There’s a fine line because you’re not in there every day. But that’s why you want to make it as simple as possible … putting the barrel on the ball and seeing what happens,” Roberson said. “You sit back and realize that, yeah, I’ve made it this far. At the end of the day, you’ve still got to work hard. I try to be the best teammate I can and do everything I possibly can to be better.”
Most followers of minor league baseball are acquainted with players according to the exposure they receive on various “prospect lists,” or in ever-present trade rumors. Despite Roberson’s fairly lengthy tenure in the Red Sox organization, odds are that mentioning his name among most fans would lead to awkward pauses and head scratching.
Nevertheless, the catcher is one the best ballplayers you could ask to have on your side, at least according to Pawtucket manager Ken Boles.
“Our pitching staff loves him. He works hard in the bullpen and gives you something every day.” Boles said. “He’s always giving feedback as far as the opposition and guys he’s seen in the past. Our pitchers know that he cares about them and there’s a lot to be said for that.
“He knows his role and under- stands it. Maybe he doesn’t like it all the time, but he keeps working and just keeps on going,” Boles added.
Roberson has gone from making the 2017 Opening Day roster to surviving three phantom stints on the disabled list. The next start he draws will be his 10th of the season and the 350th game of his seven-year pro career. He’s a lifetime .257 hit- ter with 28 home runs and a .306 onbase percentage.
Roberson feels that perhaps his most important role is that of a soundboard to pitchers – who may or may not go on to more promising careers, depending on how they fare during their time in the minors. As someone who’s spent a great deal of time in a reserve role – he’s only appeared in 100 games once (111 in 2014) – he feels a sense of duty when it comes to imparting his wisdom.
“I try to share as much as I can and as much as they want me to. There’s nothing more satisfying than being out there and helping a pitcher and seeing it translate in the game. As catchers, it’s easier to do because you spend a lot of time with the pitchers. You get to know them as people and get to know their personalities … how they like to do things,” Roberson said. “Each guy is different, but it makes my job a lot easier when I know the pitchers so well, knowing what they like to do and vice versa.”
Roberson kicked off his latest playing stint this past Wednesday. Three PawSox pitcher pitchers – Jalen Beeks, Brandon Workman, and Austin Maddox – combined for seven shutout innings in a 2-0 win over Rochester that was part of a doubleheader. At the plate, he went 1-for-3.
“There’s nothing more satisfying than watching guys succeed by pitching well,” Roberson said.
As far as someday finding work in the major leagues, Roberson knows that he will need plenty of breaks. While he’s far from ready to have the curtain lowered on his career, he does acknowledge that he has thought about how he could remain in baseball even after his playing days are done.
“I was always told to play until they take the jersey off your back. I’m going to try and do that as long as I can,” said Roberson, who is set to become a free agent for the first time ever. “It’s been an amazing ride, an amazing journey. I wouldn’t change anything for the world.”
Right now, Roberson is the No. 2 catcher behind Dan Butler. That has a nice ring to it.
“Who knows what the future holds for me? While I’m here now, I’m going to enjoy it and have fun,” Roberson said.