Chicago White Sox: Luis Robert will not debut in majors this season
The future will have to wait a little longer for the Chicago White Sox, as top prospect Luis Rober will not be making his major league debut this season.
As Luis Robert made his way through the Chicago White Sox system this season, it appeared to be a matter of when, not if, he would make his major league debut. He began the season in High-A ball, and quickly advanced to AA, reaching AAA by the end of the year. Robert proved to be capable of handling whatever challenge was presented, making the White Sox top prospect likely to be promoted when rosters expanded.
Instead, Robert, along with other top prospects Nick Madrigal and Yermin Mercedes, will not be getting that call. His debut will have to wait until Opening Day 2020, at the earliest.
No Luis Robert and no Nick Madrigal, as pretty much expected at this point. No Yermin Mercedes either.
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) September 3, 2019
According to general manager Rick Hahn, team control was not a factor in keeping Robert out of the majors this season. Instead, he claimed that his climbing three levels, a short offseason due to playing in the Arizona Fall League, and a career high in games conspired to keep him out of Guaranteed Rate Field.
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There is some potential truth to that statement. After playing a combined 96 games over the past two seasons due to injuries, Robert appeared in 122 contests in 2019. Understandably, the White Sox want to keep their top prospect healthy, instead of risking injury in a lost season.
Yet, there is no question that he is ready for the majors. Between those three levels, Robert produced an excellent .328/.376/.624 batting line, hitting 32 homers and stealing 36 bases. His numbers at AAA were equally impressive, as he belted 16 homers and ten doubles in just 223 plate appearances.
Robert will be a key part of the upcoming youth movement in Chicago. With his bat in the lineup, the expected debut of Madrigal next season, along with the returning Yoan Moncada and Eloy Jimenez, the White Sox could be an offensive juggernaut. Add in a pitching staff that could feature Michael Kopech, Lucas Giolito, and Dylan Cease, and the future is bright on the South Side.
Next. Nova open to returning to White Sox. dark
It will just take until 2020 for Luis Robert to make his debut with the Chicago White Sox. Although he is ready now, they are being understandably cautious with his workload.