Luis Robert

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Chicago White Sox #1 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: The White Sox signed Robert out of Cuba for $26 million, which went well past their previous franchise high for an amateur player. After spending his first pro season in the Dominican Summer League, Robert spent an inconsistent 2018 in the U.S. He opened eyes in spring training but a torn thumb ligament days before the season meant his debut didn't come until mid-June in the Rookie-level Arizona League. He re-injured the thumb with high Class A Winston-Salem later in the year, then dealt with nagging injuries in the Arizona Fall League as well. Robert then spent all of 2019 displaying strong signs of being a five-tool player once he reaches his peak.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Robert is the most tooled-up player the White Sox have had in their system in years. Robert's pure hitting ability might be his weakest tool because of the swing-and-miss in his game. He will chase pitches out of the zone, and scouts have noticed that he has the tendency to commit a bit early on breaking balls. Internally, the White Sox believe that trait appears in part because pitchers have learned to stay away from the juicy parts of the strike zone, which leads Robert to get impatient and try to do damage on pitcher's pitches. If pitchers do bring the ball in the zone, Robert can use his strong hands, muscular frame and elite bat speed to pummel pitches out to all parts of the park. That power was best displayed in 2019 on a home run in Birmingham that cleared the batter's eye in center field. On defense, Robert uses near-elite speed to chase balls down in center field. His arm is double-plus as well—he had seven outfield assists in 2019—which gives him a weapon not present in the skill sets of most center fielders. While the Astros' Kyle Tucker joined him in the 30-30 club, Robert is the first player since 2009 to finish a season with 30 home runs and 10 or more triples.
  
  THE FUTURE: Robert is likely to follow the typical path of the big league-ready super-prospect. On a team that in 2019 featured a pitcher who finished in the top three in the Cy Young voting and another who won the batting title, Robert has the tools and skills to become a true face of the franchise.
• 
  Ranked Chicago White Sox #5 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: After signing for $26 million, a franchise record for an international signee, in the summer of 2017 and spending his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League, hopes were high for Robert’s stateside debut. He provided glimpses of his massive potential during his appearances in big league spring training in 2018, but a torn ligament in his left thumb cost him the first two months of the season. He made his debut in the Rookie-level Arizona League, but re-injured the same thumb four games into his time with high Class A Winston-Salem.
  
  Scouting Report: Robert came into the season with a tantalizing but raw skill set that needed time to mature into full-on skills. He’s got one of the best bodies in the system, along with Micker Adolfo, and one of the highest upsides as well. His bat speed and plus-plus raw power are among the best in the system, and he put on impressive batting practice shows. He’s got well above-average bat speed, and he improved his swing path. He needs to improve his strike-zone discipline, as evidenced by his 26.4 percent strikeout rate and 5.7 percent walk rate during his time with Winston-Salem. He’s got the double-plus speed necessary to stay in center field, but he needs to refine his routes and jumps. If he did have to move to a corner, his plus arm would make him a natural fit for right field.
  
  The Future: As was the case entering 2018, Robert’s tools are among the best in the system. He’ll work to refine them in 2019, likely back at Winston-Salem. Robert has all-star potential.
• 
  Ranked Chicago White Sox #4 prospect in 2018
  Robert built an impressive track record in Cuba, including posting an .895 OPS as a 15-year-old against older competition in the island's national 18U league. Robert had heaps of international success as well and signed with the White Sox for $26 million in May, a franchise record for an international signee. Robert began in the Dominican Summer League and impressed despite missing time with a few nagging injuries. The White Sox's top prospect, Eloy Jimenez, is farther along, but Robert's tools are just as impressive. He boasts a strong, lean frame at 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds. His swing is compact and simple, and he produces well above-average bat speed. He's got plus raw power and slugged three homers in limited time in the DSL. He does swing and miss on elevated fastballs, but it's not a huge ding on his record. Robert was rated as a 55-60-grade runner as an amateur, but he has gotten faster as he matured and now earns plus-plus grades for his speed. Defensively the White Sox believe Robert will be able to maintain enough speed and range to stay in center field long-term. If that doesn't work out, his bat will more than play in a corner. After spending the summer in the DSL mainly for tax purposes, Robert is likely to join a crowded outfield in high Class A Winston-Salem in 2018.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Southern League #2 prospect in 2019
  A torn thumb ligament impeded Robert’s development in 2018, but this season he showed what he can do when healthy. He emerged as one of the game’s brightest prospects in 2019 by hitting .328/.376/.624 with 32 home runs and 36 stolen bases across three levels, culminating in 47 games at Triple-A. Robert is an 80-grade athlete with massive raw power. He can reach the deepest parts of the park in batting practice and often in games. "His teammates talk about him in awe,” one scout said. "Even opposing pitchers charting in the stands talk about him in reverent tones.” Robert doesn’t walk much and swings and misses frequently, and breaking ball recognition is an issue that affects his balance. Still, his elite exit velocity should allow him to hit for a decent average. He is a plus runner with a quick first step and plus range in center field.
• 
  Ranked International League #1 prospect in 2019
  After a 2018 season marred by injuries, Robert opened the year healthy and showed off a package of five tools that each have the chance to be plus or better. He finished the year as one of just two minor leaguers with 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases and should make an immediate impact in Chicago upon his debut early next season."Robert does it all,” Charlotte manager Mark Grudzielanek said. "He needs reps. He has to mature a little at the plate and understand situations more. He has just got to experience some of this stuff.”
• 
  Ranked Carolina League #10 prospect in 2018
  Robert’s long-awaited U.S. debut was slowed by a thumb injury that sent him to the disabled list for two months to start the year. He made it to Winston-Salem in late June, but re-injured his thumb and returned to the DL less than two weeks later. He finally got back on the field for good in August. Robert could have used the at-bats and innings he lost, as scouts were surprised by how raw he looked at times. Some suggested he would have been better off being kept in the South Atlantic League. He struggled in center field because of slow reads and poor routes. He has plus speed so the tools are there to be a rangy center fielder. At the plate, he shows plus power in batting practice, but in games, he was trying to survive, making contact but rarely driving the ball. Robert’s physical tools are still quite apparent. He is 30 pounds heavier than his listed weight with apparent strength to go with his speed.
• 
  Ranked Arizona Fall League #6 prospect in 2018
  The most frequent statement made about Robert this fall is that he looks the part, and it could be argued that the Cuba native was the best athlete in the AFL. Making up for lost time due to various injuries during his pro debut in the White Sox organization, Robert hit .324/.367/.432 in 74 at-bats, with one of his two home runs being arguably the most impressive long ball hit by any AFL hitter this season.

  At the plate, Robert has strong hands and quick stroke, with the ball coming off his bat well. A plus-plus runner, Robert was successful on all five of his stolen base attempts. With only one partial professional season on his record, the 21-year-old Robert has a lot of development ahead of him but with a wealth of tools to dream on.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #2 prospect in 2020
• Ranked Baseball America's #76 prospect in 2019
• Ranked Baseball America's #58 prospect in 2018

• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The White Sox signed Robert out of Cuba for $26 million, which went well past their previous franchise high for an amateur player. After spending his first pro season in the Dominican Summer League, Robert spent an inconsistent 2018 in the U.S. He opened eyes in spring training but a torn thumb ligament days before the season meant his debut didn’t come until mid-June in the Rookie-level Arizona League. He re-injured the thumb with high Class A Winston-Salem later in the year, then dealt with nagging injuries in the Arizona Fall League as well. Robert then spent all of 2019 displaying strong signs of being a five-tool player once he reaches his peak.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Robert is the most tooled-up player the White Sox have had in their system in years. Robert’s pure hitting ability might be his weakest tool because of the swing-and-miss in his game. He will chase pitches out of the zone, and scouts have noticed that he has the tendency to commit a bit early on breaking balls. Internally, the White Sox believe that trait appears in part because pitchers have learned to stay away from the juicy parts of the strike zone, which leads Robert to get impatient and try to do damage on pitcher’s pitches. If pitchers do bring the ball in the zone, Robert can use his strong hands, muscular frame and elite bat speed to pummel pitches out to all parts of the park. That power was best displayed in 2019 on a home run in Birmingham that cleared the batter’s eye in center field. On defense, Robert uses near-elite speed to chase balls down in center field. His arm is double-plus as well—he had seven outfield assists in 2019—which gives him a weapon not present in the skill sets of most center fielders. While the Astros’ Kyle Tucker joined him in the 30-30 club, Robert is the first player since 2009 to finish a season with 30 home runs and 10 or more triples.
  
  THE FUTURE: Robert is likely to follow the typical path of the big league-ready super-prospect. On a team that in 2019 featured a pitcher who finished in the top three in the Cy Young voting and another who won the batting title, Robert has the tools and skills to become a true face of the franchise. SCOUTING GRADES Hit: 55. Power: 70. Run: 70. Field: 60. Arm: 70. BA GRADE 70 Risk: Medium
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The White Sox signed Robert out of Cuba for $26 million, which went well past their previous franchise high for an amateur player. After spending his first pro season in the Dominican Summer League, Robert spent an inconsistent 2018 in the U.S. He opened eyes in spring training but a torn thumb ligament days before the season meant his debut didn't come until mid-June in the Rookie-level Arizona League. He re-injured the thumb with high Class A Winston-Salem later in the year, then dealt with nagging injuries in the Arizona Fall League as well. Robert then spent all of 2019 displaying strong signs of being a five-tool player once he reaches his peak.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Robert is the most tooled-up player the White Sox have had in their system in years. Robert's pure hitting ability might be his weakest tool because of the swing-and-miss in his game. He will chase pitches out of the zone, and scouts have noticed that he has the tendency to commit a bit early on breaking balls. Internally, the White Sox believe that trait appears in part because pitchers have learned to stay away from the juicy parts of the strike zone, which leads Robert to get impatient and try to do damage on pitcher's pitches. If pitchers do bring the ball in the zone, Robert can use his strong hands, muscular frame and elite bat speed to pummel pitches out to all parts of the park. That power was best displayed in 2019 on a home run in Birmingham that cleared the batter's eye in center field. On defense, Robert uses near-elite speed to chase balls down in center field. His arm is double-plus as well—he had seven outfield assists in 2019—which gives him a weapon not present in the skill sets of most center fielders. While the Astros' Kyle Tucker joined him in the 30-30 club, Robert is the first player since 2009 to finish a season with 30 home runs and 10 or more triples.
  
  THE FUTURE: Robert is likely to follow the typical path of the big league-ready super-prospect. On a team that in 2019 featured a pitcher who finished in the top three in the Cy Young voting and another who won the batting title, Robert has the tools and skills to become a true face of the franchise.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  After a 2018 season marred by injuries, Robert opened the year healthy and showed off a package of five tools that each have the chance to be plus or better. He finished the year as one of just two minor leaguers with 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases and should make an immediate impact in Chicago upon his debut early next season."Robert does it all,” Charlotte manager Mark Grudzielanek said. "He needs reps. He has to mature a little at the plate and understand situations more. He has just got to experience some of this stuff.”
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  A torn thumb ligament impeded Robert’s development in 2018, but this season he showed what he can do when healthy. He emerged as one of the game’s brightest prospects in 2019 by hitting .328/.376/.624 with 32 home runs and 36 stolen bases across three levels, culminating in 47 games at Triple-A. Robert is an 80-grade athlete with massive raw power. He can reach the deepest parts of the park in batting practice and often in games. "His teammates talk about him in awe,” one scout said. "Even opposing pitchers charting in the stands talk about him in reverent tones.” Robert doesn’t walk much and swings and misses frequently, and breaking ball recognition is an issue that affects his balance. Still, his elite exit velocity should allow him to hit for a decent average. He is a plus runner with a quick first step and plus range in center field.
• August, 2018 Scouting Report
  The most frequent statement made about Robert this fall is that he looks the part, and it could be argued that the Cuba native was the best athlete in the AFL. Making up for lost time due to various injuries during his pro debut in the White Sox organization, Robert hit .324/.367/.432 in 74 at-bats, with one of his two home runs being arguably the most impressive long ball hit by any AFL hitter this season.

  At the plate, Robert has strong hands and quick stroke, with the ball coming off his bat well. A plus-plus runner, Robert was successful on all five of his stolen base attempts. With only one partial professional season on his record, the 21-year-old Robert has a lot of development ahead of him but with a wealth of tools to dream on.

• July, 2018 Scouting Report
  Robert, the White Sox’s $26 million international signee last year, is abounding with tools but can’t stay on the field. He’s played just 21 games this season because of a pair of injuries to his left thumb and hit .293/.372/.373 in limited action. Robert still earns plus grades for his arm and power, and his speed is double-plus, but he hasn’t had a chance to really show them off.
• December, 2017 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Robert built an impressive track record in Cuba, where he put up an .895 OPS as a 15-year-old against older competition on the island's 18U league. Robert, who had heaps of international success, signed with the White Sox for $26 million in May, setting a franchise record for an international signee. He impressed scouts in the Dominican Summer League in 2017 despite a few nagging injuries. Scouting Report: While Eloy Jimenez is farther along, Robert's tools are just as impressive. He boasts a strong, lean frame and his swing is compact and simple, producing well above-average bat speed. He's got plus raw power and slugged three homers in limited time in the DSL. Robert tends to swing and miss on elevated fastballs, but it's not a huge ding on his record. He graded as an above-average to plus runner as an amateur, but reports indicate his speed has increased as he matures. The White Sox believe Robert will be able to maintain enough speed and range to stay in center field, though his bat will profile in a corner if necessary. The Future: After spending 2017 in the DSL mainly for tax purposes, Robert likely will join a crowded outfield at high Class A Winston-Salem in 2018.