The DSL White Sox are underway, and the start of their season never fails to catch me off-guard, so I'll have a preview in the coming days.
In the meantime, James Fegan wrote a comprehensive update on the state of Luis Robert's game. With Robert further removed from his thumb as an excuse engine, he's more open about how it affected his offense, which is fully on display in Birmingham (he had another three-hit night on Saturday).
The biggest project right now is trying to get Robert to stay within the strike zone, even if his hit tool is allowing him more success than expected when chasing.
Robert is so aggressive that Birmingham manager Omar Vizquel has put him in the leadoff spot not just because he wants the top prospect to get as many plate appearances as possible, but because he hopes it will force some selectivity into the 21-year-old center fielder — a push that’s hard to get from opposing pitching.
His bases-clearing, walk-off double on Tuesday night — lined on a full-count pitch — was an example of Robert adjusting his approach for contact based on the game situation. But removed from the company of hopelessly overmatched Dominican Summer League pitchers, walks have melted away from Robert’s game and figure to remain lightly featured. He’s simultaneously made mincemeat of the Southern League (.311/.360/.524), and left the impression he has more to gain from being at the most prospect-laden level.
Montgomery 12, Birmingham 7
- Luis Robert went 3-for-5 with a triple, and he's avoided striking out in four of his last five games.
- Luis Gonzalez went 1-for-4 with a homer, walk and strikeout.
- Gavin Sheets, 1-for-5 with a K.
- Ti'Quan Forbes was 1-for-4 with a strikeout.
- Blake Rutherford had his second straight 2-for-4 game.
- Laz Rivera also went 2-for-4.
- Kodi Medeiros dropped to 0-8: 3.2 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 2 HR
- Zack Burdi, I dunno: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 0 K
More:
*Gonzalez's homer was off a lefty:
Carolina 6, Winston-Salem 3 (Game 1, 7 innings)
- Nick Madrigal went 1-for-4.
- Steele Walker, 0-for-4.
- Jordan Stephens started a rehab stint: 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 1 HR
Winston-Salem 5, Carolina 4 (Game 2, 7 innings)
- Nick Madrigal went 1-for-3.
- Carlos Perez hit his first High-A homer while going 1-for-3.
- Steele Walker went 0-for-3 with a strikeout.
Kannapolis 3, Hickory 2
- Lenyn Sosa went 1-for-4 with a double and a strikeout.
- Luis Curbelo wore the collar and silver sombrero.
- Amado Nunez went 1-for-3 with a walk.
- Jhoandro Alfaro was 1-for-4 with a triple and a strikeout.
- Davis Martin: 6 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, 1 HBP
DSL White Sox 5, DSL Blue Jays 0
- Anthony Espinoza went 3-for-3 with a triple.
- Luis Pineda went 0-for-3.
- Alberto Bernal, 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout
- Jefferson Mendoza was 2-for-3 with a double.
