D-Backs prospect might soon be able to return to U.S.
Diamondbacks prospect Kristian Robinson appears to be nearing a resolution in the pending legal matter that has kept him from re-entering the country, a development that could allow him to get back on the field late in the minor league season.
Robinson was charged with one count of aggravated assault after allegedly punching a department of public safety officer, who found Robinson walking aimlessly along the side of Interstate 10 in April 2020. Robinson said in a statement issued through the team earlier this year that he was struggling with his mental health and has since sought treatment.
Michael Kimerer, Robinson’s attorney, said he is in the process of finalizing a plea agreement that he expects will reduce the charges to a misdemeanor following probation.
Robinson has been unable to get his visa approved because of the pending charges, but Kimerer said plans are in place to secure a special visa that would allow Robinson to return to Arizona to attend a status conference hearing set for July 29. Kimerer hopes Robinson can enter a change of plea at the hearing.
Still, there remain complicating factors to Robinson’s ability to return to action in the minors.
Kimerer said he is not certain if the change in plea will complicate Robinson’s visa status, an issue he is hoping to iron out with the county prosecutor. It is also not clear if the type of visa Robinson will receive to return will permit him to work while he is here.
The minor league regular season ends in mid-September.
Robinson, 20, a native of the Bahamas, has been working out recently at the Diamondbacks’ facility in the Dominican Republic. He is one of the better prospects in the Diamondbacks organization and a consensus Top 100 prospect in all of baseball.
Because the pandemic canceled the minor league season last year, Robinson has not played since 2019, when he hit a combined .282 with 14 homers at a pair of low-level affiliates.
Guarding himself
Infielder Eduardo Escobar has twice been seen hobbling around the bases in recent games, an indication he isn’t fully healthy after straining his right quad nearly two weeks ago.
Manager Torey Lovullo said the club’s medical staff does not believe Escobar is at risk of doing further damage to his quad, but Escobar appears to be guarding it out of fears of doing just that.
“He’s protecting it, we know that,” Lovullo said.
Escobar stutter-stepped into first base on Thursday night, one day after hobbling into third base in St. Louis.
Short hop
Center fielder Ketel Marte (hamstring strain) took at-bats in a live batting practice session on Friday, though he did so without running out of the batter’s box, Lovullo said.