Everything you need to know about Luis Robert

SHARE Everything you need to know about Luis Robert
white_sox_baseball_1.jpg

Cuban outfielder Luis Robert smiles at a news conferences after signing with the Chicago White Sox. | Charles Rex Abrbogast/Associated Press

Name: Luis Robert (pronounced ”Roh-bér”) Moiran.

Age: 19.

Position: OF.

Height: 6-2.

Weight: 210.

Bats: Right.

Throws: Right.

Birthplace: Guantanamo, Cuba.

Residence: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Twitter: @Lmoiran.

Instagram: luisrobertm56.

How did the White Sox acquire Robert?

The Sox have been scouting Robert since he was 14 and used a broad array of digital resources, their tradition of Cuban players and cold-hard cash to land him. The club sent Robert two iPads with a video, PowerPoint deck and virtual-reality tour of the facilities to help win him over. Included in the package was the history of the team and its Cuban-born players with direct messages from Jose Abreu and prospect Yoan Moncada. The Sox also paid a hefty $26 million signing bonus to seal the deal. They’ll pay a similar amount in taxes.

Where does Robert fit in the Sox’ farm system?

Robert was one of the best available international prospects and immediately moved to No. 26 in MLB.com’s top-100 prospects list after his signing. The Sox now have seven of the top 100 prospects. Robert is behind Yoan Moncada (1) and Michael Kopech (12) and ahead of Lucas Giolito (31), Reynaldo Lopez (40), Carson Fulmer (64) and Zack Collins (73). The Sox boast the third-best farm system, according to MLB.com, and nine of the club’s 10 best prospects have been signed in the last 12 months.

What kind of player is Robert?

According to general manager Rick Hahn, Robert has plus power, plus speed and all five tools. He projects as a middle-of the-lineup hitter whose defense is strong enough to play center field. Including the postseason, Robert hit .315 with 28 doubles, six triples, 20 home runs and 92 RBI in 210 career games with Ciego de Avila of the Cuban national league. He is a two-time Cuban league champion.

Which players is he most similar to?

Hahn said he has heard comparisons to Hall of Famers, first overall draft picks, perennial MVP candidates and active All-Stars such as Adam Jones and Lorenzo Cain. “I personally prefer to stay away from individual player comps,” Hahn said. “I think it’s unfair to that player. Luis Robert is going to be the player that his tools allow him to become and his health and development pace dictate. We do think he has the potential to be a perennial impact player in the middle of our diamond and lineup for years to come. That’s an important piece to be able to add to the organization.”

What’s next for Robert?

He hasn’t played in a game since July 2016, so his development will be slow and steady. He’s headed back to the Dominican Republic to begin his development with the Sox’ Dominican Summer League team.

—David Just

RELATED STORIES

Sox prospect Luis Robert makes his ‘debut’ at Guaranteed Rate Field

Tyler Danish impresses in his first major-league start

The Latest
Four from North Central have combined to capture six national titles since the program’s inception, and six are scheduled to compete next month in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials at Penn State.
The Bulls have 13 games left in the regular season and an opportunity to break even when they visit the Rockets on Thursday.
“Joakim [Noah] is very driven and motivated,” coach Billy Donovan said. “He’s all about the team, about winning. You can put Coby and Ayo into that category in terms of how they view things.”
Maybe Fields will develop with the Steelers, become a franchise star. It’s more likely he’ll be an updated Mitch Trubisky.