BALTIMORE – White Sox manager Will Venable felt the best chance to score runs Sunday in Baltimore was to move a scuffling Luis Robert Jr. down in the lineup.
Robert Jr. was penciled in at the seventh spot, the lowest he has started all season.
“I think it’s probably a little bit of everything,” Venable said of what hasn’t been working for Robert Jr. this season at the plate. “…Just as an observer that’s what you see…just a guy who’s searching. And that’s the tough thing too, is that he’s committed to making adjustments. He’s working extremely hard and has the right attitude about finding his way.”
The 27-year-old center fielder, once a top MLB prospect who was expected to become a perennial MVP candidate, has batted a dreadful .182/.269/.294 in 53 games this season.
Trade rumors swirled in the offseason as the Sox are looking to rebuild its roster with younger talent. Even Robert Jr. himself admitted he didn’t expect to be with the team by Opening Day after the Sox traded All Star starting pitcher Garrett Crochet for a prospect haul in the offseason.
His trade value has plummeted since. Robert Jr. is in the final year of a six-year contract, but the Sox have team options to retain him in 2026 and 2027 for $20 million.
The silver linings are that he’s been healthy so far, which has nagged him in his career, and his speed and defense have surprisingly still provided a barely positive 0.1 wins above replacement. He’s led the major league in stolen bases for most of the year, currently with 21.
His walk rate has also improved (10.7%) and he has lowered the amount he chases pitches out of the strike zone.
Still, he appears uncomfortable at the plate and hasn’t capitalized on big opportunities to knock runs in. Robert Jr. struck out in the ninth inning of Saturday’s 4-2 loss to Baltimore with two runners on base.
“For him, it’s just about him being comfortable and confident with his move. He’s obviously one of the best athletes in the game and you see that in different parts of the game,” Venable said. “You’re not seeing that at the plate right now, so I think it’s just about him being athletic, seeing the baseball and being on time to take a good swing.”
Martin Perez continues making impact despite injury
Starting pitcher Martin Perez hasn’t pitched since April 18 after he strained a muscle in his arm, but the left-handed veteran is still instilling wisdom to the Sox’ younger hurlers from afar.
Davis Martin said after Saturday’s loss that Perez, who was signed in the offseason, has coached him on attacking hitters in ways to generate quicker outs and last longer in starts. Martin has already logged a career-high 68 ⅔ innings pitched this season.
“A lot of credit goes to Martin. He shows me, early on, he’s been in my ear about this – how you get guys out early, when you are behind, [when] you are ahead,” Martin said. “You don’t have to punch everybody out to get deep into games and have successful outings.”
“He’s very much a vital role in all our daily routines, especially at home,” he added.
