Falcon grad moves on as MLB draftee
Kinkaid alumnus Robinson signs contract with Chicago Cubs
Duncan Robinson is accustomed to acing tests, but he recently passed arguably the biggest one of his life.
The 2012 Kinkaid graduate and former Dartmouth College standout recently signed a contract with the Chicago Cubs after being selected in the ninth round with the 284th overall pick in the Major League Baseball Draft.
Robinson, a righthanded pitcher, has already reported to training camp in Mesa, Arizona, along with the other rookies.
“I’ll be working with the other pitchers the next couple of weeks,” Robinson said. “Then I’ll have a better idea of where I’m going.”
Regardless, getting the opportunity to play professional baseball is more than Robinson, 22, could have imagined when he left Kinkaid as a threesport star for the Falcons in baseball, basketball and football.
Robinson enjoyed a stellar career at Dartmouth, posting a four-year record of 17-11 (tied for fifth in wins in Big Green history) with 173 strikeouts and a 3.07 earned run average. He was named the 2015 Ivy League Pitcher of the Year and made first-team AllIvy League the past three seasons.
As a senior, Robinson was voted as the team’s most valuable player and pitcher of the year after going 4-6 with a 3.28 ERA, striking out a league-leading 73 batters and walking just seven in 68 2/3 innings. He tossed seven complete games, tying for third place among all Division I pitchers. Robinson also won the James H. Cooke Award, bestowed upon the four-year letterwinner who has done the most for Big Green baseball during his career.
Earlier this month, Robinson graduated from Dartmouth with a bachelor’s degree with a major in government.
“It worked out that my family was here at graduation the same week as the draft,” Robinson said. “We were able to celebrate together. That made it even more special.”
Robinson is convinced that attending Kinkaid and Dartmouth have prepared him for his next career.
“The academic rigors at both schools have helped me,” Robinson said. “I know what it’s like to deal with a heavy workload, to balance my schedule and prioritize.”
But Robinson is excited to be able to focus on baseball only in the coming years.
“My goal is to get stronger, add some muscle and throw harder,” said the 6-foot-6, 220-pounder, whose fastball has been clocked at 92 mph and is known for a wicked curveball. “Now I’ll have time to work on my game on a full-time basis.”
The Cubs were attracted by Robinson’s intelligence, athleticism and size. While he isn’t sure of his role, Robinson is excited to see where the future takes him.
“I was mostly a starter in high school and college, but I’ll be a reliever,” Robinson said. “I’ll do whatever the Cubs need from me.”
Regardless of what happens, Robinson has a terrific back-up plan. He’s already been accepted to the University of Texas School of Law.
“For now, I am going to postpone law school. I owe it to myself to give pro baseball a shot,” Robinson said. “Hopefully, UT will be waiting for me when the timing is right.”
Robinson is encouraged by the number of Dartmouth players in minor league baseball, including Chris O’Dowd and Joe Sclafani.
“It showed me that anything is possible if I kept working hard,” he said.
Kinkaid head baseball coach Steve Maas believes in Robinson. He predicts he’ll be pitching in the big leagues within a few years.
“Duncan is a tall kid with great velocity. He has the tools and the temperament to make to the majors,” Maas said.
“We’ll be pulling for him.”