White Sox still waiting to make decision on Luis Robert
In regards to Luis Robert joining the White Sox, the feeling here remains the same as it has for the past several weeks.
If the Sox wanted the dynamic prospect on their roster, Robert would have been here by now.
He's not, and Hall of Famer Frank Thomas stirred things up a bit Thursday afternoon before the Twins hammered the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field.
On NBC Sports Chicago's pregame show, Thomas said general manager Rick Hahn is "leaning" toward not bringing Robert up this season.
The network quickly deleted the video tweet it posted with Thomas' remarks, and the Sox issued a statement: "No decisions have been made yet on September call-ups. We are going to wait until (Class AAA) Charlotte finishes its season before final decisions are made."
Charlotte has four games left in its regular season, which ends Monday at Norfolk. The Knights hold a one-game lead in the International League wild-card race and would be in the playoffs Wednesday if they hang on.
Last week, Hahn wasn't tipping his hand on Robert, but he did say playing meaningful games in the minor leagues is good for the 22-year-old center fielder and other prospects.
"Being in the pennant race, what they're doing on a nightly basis, the battle to try to get into the postseason is a benefit to them," Hahn said. "Eventually, you balance that about what they're going to benefit from Chicago versus going through that and make a decision."
Since he was limited to 50 games last year due to a left thumb injury, the White Sox could shut Robert down for the season after Charlotte wraps up play. Triple-A is his third minor-league level this season, and Hahn might decide not to make the majors a fourth.
Waiting until next April to add Robert is another option for the Sox because it would delay his service time clock.
Hahn said there are two reasons to either bring Robert up in September or wait until next year.
"I think it's safe to say that any decision that we make as an organization, we try to do what's in the best long-term interest of the organization," Hahn said. "It's not about self-interest or self-preservation or to make anyone individually look good. It's about what's best for the long-term health of the organization.
"When it comes to the timing of a promotion, you try to look at what's best for the player and the best long-term position for success based on everything they've accomplished over the course of the season, based on their physical condition, based upon whatever challenges they might be able to face and perhaps tackle at the big-league level if we make that decision, versus the benefits of waiting until a future point in time when you feel they're better suited to take that promotion.
"There's a lot that goes into deciding it. At the end of the day, player development is fundamentally a baseball decision about putting a player in the best position to succeed, and that's what will carry the day with any decision to promote a player."
In 43 games with Charlotte, Robert is hitting .301/.348/.645 with 15 home runs, 37 RBI and 7 stolen bases.
For the season, the 6-foot-2, 210-pounder is slashing .331/.380/.628 with 31 homers, 90 RBI and 36 steals in 118 games with Charlotte, AA Birmingham and high A Winston-Salem.