KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Luis Robert hasn’t missed a beat since his promotion to Class AAA Charlotte, going 11-for-25 with three homers, a triple and two doubles and three stolen bases in his first six games.
”Pretty impressive … special,” said 31-year-old infielder Ryan Goins, who played with Robert for the center fielder’s first seven games at Charlotte. “There’s a reason he’s so highly touted, for sure.”
Robert’s hot start follows an impressive showing at AA Birmingham, where he batted .314/362/.518 with eight homers, three triples, 16 doubles, 29 RBI and 21 stolen bases.
The numbers are as impressive. So are 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 comes up to the Sox is the question of the hour. It might not be until next season. If he’s killing it at Charlotte while the Sox are not planning to bring him up yet, “those are good problems to have,” general manager Rick Hahn said.
“It’s been six games, so let’s keep a little perspective,” 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.”
Whenever Robert is not in the lineup, as was the case Wednesday, it sets off a buzz. Is he getting promoted? Is he hurt? In Wednesday’s case, it was just a day off for a day game following a night game.
