Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. is having a monstrous 2023 campaign, which has flown under the radar of many baseball fans due to the unfortunate record of the White Sox. Currently fourth in the AL Central, the White Sox have massively underperformed the hopeful Wild Card push they achieved two seasons ago. In 2022, the White Sox finished perfectly .500 with an 81–81 record. The 2021 campaign saw Luis Robert play 68 games as a 24-year-old, achieving a batting average of .338 and participating in an AL Central division title with the White Sox. In 2022, the White Sox didn’t have the year they wanted, and Robert Jr. hit .284 in 98 games. Luis Robert Jr., who finished second in ROY and a gold glove winner in 2020, was due for a breakout year.
High Hopes for the White Sox
After a disappointing 2022 season, the Windy City faithful hoped for a better season in 2023. Their Over/Under win total was 83.5, and ESPN projected the Sox to finish 83–79 with new management from Pedro Grifol. Unfortunately, new White Sox Projections by FanGraphs predict the South Siders to finish 64–98. That is an almost 20-game drop off from their season projection. Although the White Sox are having an abhorrent season, one name has shined in the dumpster fire of a season.
A Star is Born
In contrast to many young names the White Sox had high hopes for, Luis Robert Jr. is the star that blossomed. Firstly, Luis Robert’s batting average may be only .270, but his power has massively improved. Robert is tied for 15th in oWAR, and 14th in total WAR. His HR% has jumped from 3.0% to 6.3% this year and improved his walk percentage from 4.2% to 5.2%. Robert has improved his OBP, SLG, and OPS from a year before, and received his first All-Star Game nod in 2023. His improvement on fastballs this year has helped him improve to a .300 hitter on the fastballs. He hit 18 out of 35 home runs on the fastball. If Robert can improve this back to his 2022 numbers, he has a good shot for MVP Honors.
Defensive Cover
Robert Jr. made excellent offensive progression. He has also kept his defensive game as one of the top outfielders in the AL. He is currently ranked 12th in total Outs Above Average (OAA), and tied for first in total OAA for a center fielder. Furthermore, Luis Robert is eighth in runs prevented and tied for first by a centerfielder in runs prevented. Robert ranks in the 98th percentile in OAA, and above average in arm value and arm strength. He ranks second out of all center fielders in fielding according to StatCast, with first going to Brenton Doyle. The 26-year-old also leads all outfielders in putouts, ranks second in assists, and second in double plays turned as a center fielder.
MVP Showing
As almost all baseball fans know, Shohei Ohtani is the runaway MVP in the American League. Luis Robert is having a great season, himself. Behind Shohei Ohtani, Corey Seager, and Kyle Tucker. However, the White Sox are in rebuild mode. At the deadline, selling was the priority for the struggling White Sox. Luis Robert Jr. is an MVP candidate on a poor team. With his contract signed through 2025, it will be interesting to see if a team makes a play for a high-priced MVP candidate. The Cuban native could also pursue Free Agency.
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