GLENDALE, Ariz. — Eloy Jimenez is doubling down on his declaration that Luis Robert will be the next Mike Trout, waving off the worry about expectations and pressure for the center fielder yet to play a game in a major league uniform.
Jimenez said it at SoxFest in January and eyes rolled, even from those fully aware of Robert’s considerable talent. Trout, like Robert a center fielder, is generally regarded as the best player in the game, perhaps the best ever.
“You will see,” Jimenez said Sunday. “He’s really good. He’s been working really hard. Like I’ve said before, he’s going to be the next Mike Trout.”
Jimenez, 23, is aware of what it’s like to navigate through high expectations. He went through a similar experience as a rookie in camp last spring. But he doesn’t believe comparing Robert to Trout is more than Robert can handle.
“I’m just saying I know he’s going to do it because the work he does every single day,” Jimenez said. “I don’t think he has pressure on him because he’s got me, he’s got Pito [Jose Abreu], he’s got [Yoan] Moncada [for support and guidance], so he’s going to be fine.
“He knows how to handle it.”
On Sunday, Robert lined a home run to left center field that left the park with 113 mph exit velocity. Robert also flashed his speed stealing second. He has looked good in center field this spring.
Jimenez, like others watching, thought the home run was hit too low to get out. Jimenez also homered for the first time this spring.
Robert, 22, knows what comes with being a top prospect who hit .328/.376/.624 with 32 homers, 31 doubles, 11 triples, 92 RBI and 31 stolen bases as USA Today’s Minor League Player of the Year last season. He signed a $50 million contract, opening the door to open the season on the major league roster.He signed a $50 million contract, opening the door to open the season on the major league roster.
“I know that everybody is looking at me,” Robert said Sunday through translator Billy Russo. “They’ve been doing that before I even signed this last contract. It’s not anything different. I just have to put my focus on the game.
“I don’t have any goals, I don’t [have] limits. I’m just trying to do the best that I can and the numbers will be there on the end of the season.”
Robert was asked Sunday if winning the American League Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player awards was something he is thinking about. That’s the type of hype he is processing right now. His answers in that regard are more measured than Jimenez’ answers, which is probably a good thing.
“That is the dream of every baseball player who plays at this level,” Robert said. “I won’t go out with that in my mind because I don’t want that extra pressure. Then whatever happens is going to happen. I just want to play baseball and do the best I can do.”
Jimenez struggled early as a rookie last season, then finished with nine homers in September, recording 31 homers in 504 plate appearances over 122 games. If he stays healthy, he expects to surpass that, as well as his .267/.315/.513 hitting line. If Jimenez is right, the Sox should be fun to watch for years to come. Both he and Robert signed six-year deals.
He is predicting greatness for himself, as well.
“You’ll see, too,” Jimenez said. “Some really good player, a superstar one day. One day I’m going to be a superstar, too.”
