Luis Robert 2019 MLB Top 100 Prospects Stock Watch

Image credit: Luis Robert (Photo by Bill Mitchell)

This is part of a series highlighting several prospects in our 2019 Top 100 Prospects midseason update. To see the full rankings, click here. 

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Luis Robert, OF, White Sox

Rank: 15
Preseason: 76

STOCK is headed: up ??

The White Sox paid a $26 million signing bonus and nearly the same amount in international bonus pool overage tax to sign Robert out of Cuba in 2017, but his 2018 campaign didn’t inspire much confidence among scouts.

A thumb injury limited Robert’s time on the field, and when he did play, he wasn’t effective, though he showed glimpses of his potential in the Arizona Fall League.

This year, the 21-year-old Robert has rebounded in a big way, showing the dynamic athleticism that drew the White Sox to him with high-end production.

Robert turned in one of the very best first halves by a hitting prospect, spending most of his time at Double-A Birmingham. He hit .353/.403/.630 with 12 home runs and 18 stolen bases through 60 games.

Robert has excellent bat speed and raw power that earns 60 to 70 grades on the 20-80 scale.

Robert is a fastball crusher. He has an aggressive approach and can get tripped up at times by spin, but he kept his strikeouts under control this year. His 2018 campaign looks more like a hiccup now, with Robert showing a tantalizing power-speed threat in center field.