If he stays healthy, Sox center fielder Luis Robert can make run at MVP
When it comes to all-around skills, only a few players in baseball can match Luis Robert.
The White Sox's 24-year-old center fielder can hit, hit for power, run, throw and cover ground on defense at elite levels.
"He's one of the best players that I've ever seen," Sox left fielder Eloy Jimenez said.
For as good as he's already been in his fledgling career, Robert's best days still lie ahead.
His first two seasons in a White Sox uniform have been interrupted by COVID-19 and injury.
Joining the Sox's starting lineup in 2020, Robert hit .233/.302/.436 with 11 home runs and 31 RBI.
The pandemic shortened the regular season to 60 games and Robert came out swinging.
Starting his career with a six-game hitting streak, Robert slashed .298/.348/.612 with 8 doubles, 10 home runs, 24 RBI, 22 runs scored and 4 stolen bases over 33 games and claimed American League Rookie of the Month honors for late July/August.
Opposing pitchers eventually adjusted, but Robert wasn't able to. Flailing at a steady diet of sliders outside of the strike zone, he hit just .136/.237/.173 and had 1 homer and 7 RBI over 23 games in the final month.
The right-hander also struck out 32 times in 81 at-bats.
Robert learned from the early ups and downs and he was putting it all together last season before tearing his right hip flexor in early May and missing over three months.
Before and after the injury, the 6-foot-2, 220-pounder hit a solid .338/.378/.567 and his 13 home runs averaged 414 feet.
The lockout came dangerously close to shortening the upcoming season, but an eleventh hour agreement ensured 162 games will be played.
If he can stay healthy, Robert is poised to make an MVP run.
"Yes, every baseball player has that goal in mind every year," Robert said through a translator. "Win the MVP, Gold Glove and get as many awards and accolades as possible. I always try to do my best when I'm on the field. That's never going to change.
"At the end, what matters the most is to win it all, win a World Series."
Great players step up in the postseason, and Robert has certainly done that the past two years.
Against Oakland in 2020, he was 4-for-13 with a home run and 2 RBI. Against Houston last season, Robert was 7-for-15 with 1 RBI and 4 runs scored.
Pretty good so far, and Robert still has plenty of room to take his game to a higher level.
"I know the talent that he has and all the things that he can do on the field," first baseman Jose Abreu said. "I honestly think that right now we are just seeing the surface of all the things that he can do."