KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Luis Robert hasn’t missed a beat since his promotion to Class AAA Charlotte, going 13-for-30 with five homers, a triple, two doubles and three stolen bases in his first seven games.
“Pretty impressive … special,” said 31-year-old infielder Ryan Goins, who played with Robert during the center fielder’s first six games at Charlotte. “There’s a reason he’s so highly touted, for sure.”
Robert’s hot start follows an impressive showing at Class AA Birmingham, where he batted .314/362/.518 with eight homers, three triples, 16 doubles, 29 RBI and 21 steals.
The numbers are as eye-catching as the tools for the 6-2, 210-pound package of power and speed.
“He comes up his first game and hits two homers, hits a grand slam,” Goins said. “You’re like, ‘Man, this guy can do it all.’ He’s a special player. Any tool you want, he has it. Excited to see what’s in the future for that guy, for sure.”
Robert turns 22 on Aug. 3. When he’s called up to the Sox is the question. It might not be until next season.
“It’s been six games, so let’s keep a little perspective,” general manager Rick Hahn said. “It’s certainly been a very impressive six games. With every extra-base hit or every fine defensive play or stolen base or whatever he happens to be doing to wow people on a nightly basis on any given night, I’m fine with the calls getting greater or the excitement getting greater to see another potential premium piece here at the big-league level.
“I hope he keeps this roll going. It’s probably unrealistic to hope he rolls like this all the way through Triple-A. But we’re as happy as anyone when we see what he’s doing on a nightly basis.”
Renteria ejected
Manager Rick Renteria was ejected for the fifth time this season, by plate umpire Adam Hamari.
“God bless him,” Renteria said. “He turned around and said he wasn’t going to have something or take something today. I was kind of confused about it, to be honest. I just asked him to please pay attention to the field.
“If you guys want to ask him what happened after that, you can. It was an interesting ejection.”
Moncada revival
Yoan Moncada homered and singled twice, snapping a 1-for-18 skid. The homer, his 17th, matched his career high from last season. It was his fifth homer against the Royals this season.
More bad pitching
Sox starting pitchers own a 5.79 ERA in the last 19 games. Thursday’s starter, Ross Detwiler, who was replaced by Dylan Covey, likely will step aside to allow Covey back in the rotation next week, Renteria said.
Tilson optioned
Outfielder Charlie Tilson was optioned to Charlotte after the game. A corresponding move will be made Friday. Since June 10, Tilson batted .105 in 22 games, including 10 starts.
