Robert Jr. is White Sox’ lone representative, and first Sox All-Star CF since Chet Lemon in late 1970s
It was Luis Robert Jr. all along.
The White Sox had one obvious All-Star and only one this season, so it came as no surprise that their prized 25-year-old center fielder was named to his first American League All-Star Game Sunday. Robert becomes the first Sox All-Star at his position since Chet Lemon in 1977 and ‘78.
Robert has the look and talent of a star who, if he stays healthy, can be the best Sox center fielder of all time. He’s having one of the best half seasons, covering the expanses of the outfield from gap to gap with fluid grace and speed and hitting .276/.333/.574. with 24 homers, 21 doubles, and a .907 OPS.
“It definitely means a lot,” Robert said through a translator Sunday. “It’s a big accomplishment. It’s a result of all the work I’ve been putting in every day since the offseason started. I’m very happy for it.”
If not for Shohei Ohtani, the best player in the game, Robert might have been the AL Player of the month. Since June 4, he was batting .330/.393/.732 with 11 home runs, 16 RBI and 22 runs scored in 25 games.
This season, Robert ranks second in the AL in home runs, extra-base hits (44), slugging percentage (.574) and total bases (3rd, 179), is fourth in runs (59) and tied for sixth in games played (82).
