Robert has ruled the minors
MINNEAPOLIS — Luis Robert homered again, continuing his assault on minor-league pitching and causing fans to wonder why they aren’t seeing him in a White Sox uniform.
Whether the No. 5 prospect in baseball will be a September callup or is held back until early next season to prevent his service-time clock from getting started will bear watching. Robert certainly looks more than ready. His numbers definitely do.
Between three minor-league levels, Robert was batting .334/.385/.628 entering Class AAA Charlotte’s game against the Durham Bulls before he hit his 29th homer to go with 29 doubles, 10 triples, 85 RBI, 100 runs and 36 stolen bases.
The 22-year-old Robert is in position to become the first minor-league player since Mike Cameron in 1996 to hit .300 with 25 homers, 10 triples, 30 doubles, 75 RBI, 100 runs and 35 stolen bases.
“He’s doing very well. He continues to impress everyone. That’s about as much as I can say,” said manager Rick Renteria, who undoubtedly wouldn’t mind seeing Robert patrol center field for the Sox.
The home run Tuesday was his 13th for Charlotte in 35 games. Renteria mentioned Robert’s 188 games played — arguably a lacking number for a minor leaguer — as a reason to hold him back. The way Robert is going, it’s not one that seems to hold much water.
“All of us are looking forward to the time when that young man continues to progress and join the guys that are here,” Renteria said. “I wish I had a crystal ball and can tell you when that was. He’s certainly doing everything he can to impress upon everybody he would like to join.”
Super Nova
Right-hander Ivan Nova is 5-0 with a 0.85 ERA in six starts since July 22, the second-best ERA in the majors behind the Cardinals’ Jack Flaherty (0.84). Nova has pitched two complete games during that span, and Lucas Giolito is tied for second in the American League with two complete games behind the Indians’ Shane Bieber (three).
The Sox’ four complete games are second in the AL behind the Indians (five).
Former Sox Dotel arrested
Authorities in the Dominican Republic arrested former Sox pitcher Octavio Dotel and cited former Marlins and Mets infielder Luis Castillo for their alleged links to a drug-trafficking and money-laundering ring, officials said.
Police are also pursuing the alleged leader of the ring, César Emilio Peralta. Castillo has not yet been arrested.
“Eighteen other people are linked to this network, including athletes and baseball players Octavio Dotel and Luis Castillo,” Dominican Attorney General Jean Alain Rodriguez said, calling it “the most important drug trafficking structure in the region.”
Dominican officials say a 2,315-pound shipment of drugs heading from South America to Puerto Rico was one of several seizures attributed to this ring.
Castillo denied any ties to drugs, according to his Instagram account.
There was no immediate comment from Dotel, who pitched for 13 major-league teams, including the Sox in 2008-09.
In March, former Sox pitcher Esteban Loaiza was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to federal drug charges involving 44 pounds of cocaine that he admitted to planning distribute.