If there’s anyone who can relate to center fielder Luis Robert Jr., it’s manager Grady Sizemore, who believes Robert still can be one of the upper-echelon talents in the league.
“Oh, yeah,” Sizemore said. “Luis is an amazing talent. He’s an incredible talent. You’re going to have some of these years. Getting hurt early in the year, that kills everything.”
Injuries have been the biggest obstacle for Robert throughout his career. Aside from the 145 games he played in 2023, Robert never has played 100 games in a season. This year, he played just seven games before suffering a flexor strain in his right hip that kept him out for close to two months.
But Sizemore can relate to Robert because he was once in the 27-year-old’s shoes. From 2006-08, Sizemore made three consecutive American League All-Star teams and won two Gold Gloves before numerous injuries derailed his career. Sizemore said he’s still trying to get to know Robert and learn how to pick his spots with him.
Given that the Sox are near the bottom of the league in most statistical categories, it’s normal that Robert could be pressing.
“You put all the pressure on yourself,” Sizemore said. “Every time you get a guy up, you’re trying to put the ball in the seats, you’re trying to hit a double. The harder you try, the worse you do. It’s one of those games where you have to let it come to you and trust yourself.
“When you get off to a slow start, and your team’s not winning, it’s hard to slow it down; it’s hard not to put the pressure on yourself and play tense and get tight. I know that from experience, and I’m sure all those guys, him, [left fielder Andrew Benintendi], and [first baseman Andrew Vaughn], were all doing that early in the year.”
That injury set the tone for Robert’s rough season. After going 3-for-5 Saturday, Robert is slashing .227/.277/.388 with a weighted runs created plus 83 — the league average is 100. Robert’s injury set him back in terms of rhythm and timing and he never hasn’t been able to put himself back on track.
Despite his lackluster play, Sizemore still believes Robert can be an elite player for years to come.
“It’s just the consistency on offense you’re not seeing and that comes from not having your legs underneath you all year,” Sizemore said.
30 Starts
Left-hander Garrett Crochet reached 30 starts after Friday’s outing, throwing four innings of one-run baseball in the 2-0 loss against the A’s. But he was nonchalant about reaching that many starts.
“It’s cool,” Crochet said. “Kind of an arbitrary number in my mind but I guess it looks cool.”
Crochet has a strong confidence and self-belief that allowed him to transition seamlessly from a reliever to a starter.
“There were definitely no guarantees along the way,” Crochet said. “As far as the success and the results that came to follow. That’s what you work all offseason for. Spent a lot of time visualizing that success happening before it did. So, no surprise.”
Injury update
The White Sox recalled left-hander Ky Bush from Triple-A Charlotte and put him on the 15-day injured list with a left triceps strain.