Luis Robert

If we were just scouting the stats (.328 AVG, 32 HR, 36 SB) across Robert's stops at High-A, Double-A and Triple-A, he would be the top prospect in baseball. However, there are some small areas of concern. First, he had a 129:28 K:BB in 122 games, and it's not like he was particularly young (by top prospect standards) for the levels he played at in his age-21/22 season. He struggles to pick up offspeed pitches, which could result in strikeout rates north of 30% early on against MLB pitching. Robert's elite athleticism should allow him to largely overcome those issues and be a productive fantasy outfielder from Day 1. His plus-plus raw power and plus speed will translate to some 30-20 or even 40-20 seasons, but it may take a few years for him to not be a BA drain. He is unlikely to ever be a positive contributor in OBP, but Robert should debut right away after inking a long-term deal in January.

Robert has impressive physical tools, but his stock has dipped since the White Sox committed $52 million to sign him in 2017. A left thumb injury erased his first two months of 2018. He was eased back with a two-week Sally League assignment before getting promoted to the Carolina League, where his age and pedigree suggested he belonged. Robert re-injured his thumb after just nine games with Winston-Salem and did not return until early August. The only level where he has ever been a below league-average hitter (81 wRC+) was the only level (High-A) where he was age-appropriate. In fact, his only two home runs in 68 stateside games came in the hitter-friendly Arizona Fall League, where he slashed .324/.367/.432 with a 13:5 K:BB and five steals in 18 games. He has tools (plus power, plus speed) that are tough to give up on, but the odds seem long that he will hit for a high average while displaying that 25-25 upside in the big leagues.

The final impact Cuban prospect to sign under the old international rules, Robert received a $26 million bonus from the White Sox, resulting in a $52 million commitment after the overage tax. A lean, athletic 6-foot-3 center fielder, Robert hadn't played competitively for about a year when he signed, so he was eased into pro ball in the Dominican Summer League. The 20-year-old's production should be essentially thrown out, as the talent disparity between Robert and the rest of the DSL would be akin to sending an established major leaguer to Double-A for 28 games. Evaluators agree that he is a plus runner with premium bat speed that could lead to plus power. However, there are conflicting reports about how he projects as a hitter. Some think he will hit for a relatively high average with good on-base skills, while others think his swing may need to be overhauled if he is to make enough contact against upper-level pitching. He is an extreme upside gamble in dynasty leagues. Robert is expected to be assigned to Low-A or High-A.