OAKLAND, Calif. — It was Luis Robert Jr. all along.
The White Sox had one obvious All-Star and only one this season, so it came as no surprise that their prized 25-year-old center fielder was named to his first All-Star Game on Sunday. Robert became the first Sox All-Star at his position since Chet Lemon in 1977 and ’78.
Robert has the look and talent of a star who, if he stays healthy, can be the best Sox center fielder of all time. He’s having one of the best half-seasons, covering the expanses of the outfield from gap to gap with fluid grace and speed and hitting .276/.337/.575 with 24 home runs and a .912 OPS. He hit his 22nd double and walked twice in the Sox’ 8-7 victory against the Athletics.
“It definitely means a lot,” Robert said. “It’s a big accomplishment. It’s a result of all the work I’ve been putting in every day since the offseason started. I’m very happy for it.”
Robert ranks second in the American League in home runs and extra-base hits (44). He also is tied for sixth in games played (82).
The latter stat is everything to Robert, who has dealt with injury issues for much of his young career.
“The key is just being able to play every day,” he said. “If you play every day, you have the chance to get better.”
Robert is on pace for 46 home runs, which would rank second in club history behind Albert Belle’s 49 in 1998.
“What hasn’t he demonstrated, right?” manager Pedro Grifol said. “Power, defense, arm, speed. On top of all that, he’s demonstrated growth, maturity, work ethic, ability to apply instruction, aptitude.”
When Robert talks about “hard work,” it’s a legit statement. Field coordinator Mike Tosar noted Robert going all out “power’’ shagging fly balls in spring training in not just one hitting group but multiple groups. Grifol has cited Robert’s preparation since camp.
“You see an elite defender playing center field as well as he did as a [Gold Glove-winning] rookie [in 2020],” first base and outfielders coach Daryl Boston said. “Offensively, he has matured. He still has his moments, but the things he’s done on the baseball field are All-Star-worthy.”
According to FanGraphs defensive runs saved, Robert is third with 5.9 among AL center fielders behind Kevin Kiermaier and Jake Meyers. In Sunday’s game against the A’s, he threw out Tyler Wade trying to go from first to third on a single.
“The range is easy to see, but his decision-making — when to throw somebody out, cutting balls off in the gap, knowing when to hold a guy from a double to a single — has improved a ton,” Boston said. “His leadership and communication with the other outfielders has gotten a lot better.”
Robert’s decisions at the plate appear to be on the upswing, as well. When he doesn’t chase, look out. He’s also learning to temper his leg kick and stride when necessary, Tosar said.
“He’s learned how to hunt pitches up in the zone,” Grifol said, “and he’s starting to really, really recognize pitches down and away in the zone. That’s really good for us and not for others.
“Everybody thinks about the five tools. I right away think about the work ethic, aptitude, ability to apply instruction, the trust, maturity, how he goes about it.”
Robert right away thought about his parents when he got word from Grifol that he’d represent the Sox as an outfield reserve in the Midsummer Classic, which will be played July 11 at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park. They were the first to hear from him.
“I will have the chance to play with fellow Cubans [including Randy Arozarena] that I’ve been playing with for a very long time,” Robert said. “That’s going to be special. Also being around Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout, two of the best baseball players in the world, that’s something that gets me excited, too.’’
