Robert Jr. to represent White Sox at first career All-Star Game

OAKLAND — Heart fielder Louis Robert Jr. hoped he could be chosen for his first All-Star Sport, and though his choice appeared like a no brainer, he couldn’t start to suppose in earnest about going to Seattle till supervisor Pedro Grifol gave him the information Sunday morning.

“I wasn’t positive,” Robert mentioned by way of translator Billy Russo, “however I used to be assured it will occur. It positively means lots. As a person, it’s an enormous accomplishment.”

Robert Jr. was one among six choices the Commissioner’s Workplace makes for every league, partly to make sure each group is represented. As soon as he acquired phrase that in his fourth massive league season he could be the lone participant representing the White Sox, Robert Jr. mentioned he referred to as and texted his dad and mom, trainers and others who have been sitting on pins and needles.

“That is excellent news for them, too,” he mentioned.

Robert turned the primary White Sox heart fielder to make the All-Star group since Chet Lemon in 1979. Getting into Sunday, the 25-year-old ranked among the many high 5 within the American League in slugging share, OPS, runs, homers and complete bases, to not point out his seven defensive runs saved as one of many high heart fielders within the recreation. Simply as vital, he has stayed wholesome and performed in 83 video games of Chicago’s 86 video games.

Robert had not surpassed 98 video games in any of his first three seasons, and he mentioned the possibility to play day by day allowed him to determine and regulate to points inflicting him to battle, significantly early this season.

Robert’s 24 house runs are essentially the most by a White Sox participant within the first half since Todd Frazier hit 25 in 2016. He’s on tempo to hit 45, which might be second most in franchise historical past behind Albert Belle’s 49 in 1998. Robert is also one among 5 gamers in White Sox historical past (executed eight occasions) to report 20-plus doubles and 20-plus homers earlier than the break, becoming a member of Frank Thomas (1993, ‘94, 2003), Magglio Ordonez (2000), Jermaine Dye (2008) and Jose Abreu (2014, ‘19). He’s the driving pressure and prime producer in an uneven White Sox offense.

Robert’s journey to Seattle didn’t look doable after a tough April by which he slashed .202/.248/.414. However he has lower his chasing out of the zone and is coming off a June that included 11 house runs with a .677 slugging share.

Requested earlier this weekend what Robert has demonstrated to justify an All-Star berth, Grifol mentioned, “Energy, protection, arm, pace. The opposite day he stole a pair bases in Anaheim. On high of all that, he’s demonstrated development, maturity, work ethic, potential to use instruction, aptitude. So my query is, ‘What hasn’t he demonstrated?’

“While you take a look at pitches within the strike zone, at his OPS and slugging, if he doesn’t chase, he’s one of many high 5 gamers within the recreation.”

Requested which fellow All-Stars he hoped to hold with when he will get to Seattle, Robert mentioned he was psyched to hitch countrymen he has identified for years and performed with in Cuba, together with AL beginning outfielder Randy Arozarena of the Rays in addition to Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez and Rangers outfielder Adolis García, who have been chosen as reserves. Alvarez is out with an indirect pressure and won’t play, however can attend.

“That’s positively going to be particular,” he mentioned. “Additionally, being round Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout, two of one of the best gamers within the recreation, is one thing that’s acquired me excited, too.”