‘SPECIAL’ DELIVERY
With a new six-year, $50 million contract — before facing one major-league pitch — Sox’ Robert hears all the big talk; he’s just trying not to listen
Luis Robert has been the talk of the White Sox’ summer camp because there’s no way not to fawn over someone who got fooled on a pitch but hit a home run falling down, has flashed a strong arm with throws from center field and displayed smooth, easy speed in the outfield gaps and on the bases.
Have we left anything out?
How about taking control in center like a seasoned veteran and manning the position like he owns it at 22?
And looking physically, as right-hander Dylan Cease said, like an Under Armour mannequin.
Teammates are talking Robert up, national media are touting him as the game’s next big star and coaches are saying what they’ve been saying since seeing him have his way with the minor leagues.
Robert can be really, really good. Check that. Really, really great.
“Luis Robert is a special individual, a special talent,” Sox bench coach Joe McEwing said. “There’s nothing on the field that he can’t do.”
If the hype doesn’t get the best of him — teammate Eloy Jimenez said this winter that Robert will be the next Mike Trout; whoa now — and if
‘‘HE’S GOT ALL THE TOOLS. WHEN SOMEBODY SIGNS A PRETTY GOOD DEAL BEFORE THEY EVEN GET TO THE BIG LEAGUES, YOU KNOW THEY HAVE A SHOT TO BE REALLY SPECIAL.’’ DALLAS KEUCHEL,
Sox left-hander, on rookie outfielder Luis Robert (right)
he doesn’t cave under the weight of expectations, Robert just might be really, really good. Who says the Sox can’t have nice things? Some would say it’s too much hype too soon for a player who hasn’t played a majorleague game, but Sox broadcaster Jason Benetti believes Robert might be somewhat insulated from it all.
“Having been the media-relations guy and broadcaster for Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg in Triple-A,” Benetti said Wednesday, “even in the minors or if you’re from a foreign country, there are more people that want a piece of you before you even get to the majors, so that lessens the impact a little. And I also think Luis Robert getting to play in his home ballpark before the season starts and playing in empty stadia over the next two months lessens the impact, as well.”
Robert’s first reviews of his new ballpark home have been favorable. He’s already getting comfortable there and feels secure enough to take charge of the outfield expanses with lesser defenders Jimenez and Nomar Mazara on his flanks in left and right. And the at-bats against major-league pitchers, “even though they are my teammates, have helped me a lot knowing what I’m going to face once the season starts,” he said.
“And the other thing is, just the opportunity to play in our home ballpark before the season starts.”
Robert was signed to a six-year, $50 million contract during the winter before having played a major-league game. He was given a $26 million bonus to sign with the Sox out of Cuba as an international free agent in 2017.
“He’s got all the tools,” left-hander Dallas Keuchel said. “When somebody signs a pretty good deal before they even get to the big leagues, you know they have a shot to be really special. He knows that, which is great, but he also puts in the work. I see him with [Jose] Abreu and [Edwin] Encarnacion all the time. The guy wants to take it to an extreme.”
Just so you know, Robert isn’t perfect. After making an awkward slide at second base in Tuesday’s intrasquad game — he got caught between a headfirst slide and the safer feetfirst option the Sox want him to employ — Robert was out for sliding practice before Wednesday’s intrasquad scrimmage. Then it was back to more impressive stuff — a flyout to the wall in right-center and an RBI double down the left-field line. In the outfield, he called off Jimenez in left and ran a country mile to back up Mazara on a routine fly ball in right.
Robert moved like a panther, a nickname that has stuck.
“I’m not big on nicknames,” Keuchel said, “but ‘La Pantera,’ I call him that myself, just because the guy is a freak. He has a chance to be something special for years to come.”