White Sox ink Robert to new deal
Three levels of the Minors did not present much of a challenge to Luis Robert in 2019. Two days into 2020, he's lined up a new test that begins on Opening Day in a Major League outfield.The top White Sox prospect is in agreement with Chicago on a six-year, $50 million contract
Three levels of the Minors did not present much of a challenge to Luis Robert in 2019. Two days into 2020, he's lined up a new test that begins on Opening Day in a Major League outfield.
The top White Sox prospect is in agreement with Chicago on a six-year, $50 million contract which includes club options in 2026 and 2027 that would bring the deal's total value to $88 milion, the team announced Thursday. Robert will earn $1.5 million in 2020, $3.5 million in 2021, $6 million in 2022, $9.5 million in 2023, $12.5 million in 2024 and $15 million in 2025. Both options are worth $20 million with $2 million buyouts.
The deal locks up Chicago's centerfielder of both the present and future and rewards Robert, 22, for going from a homerless, injury-plagued campaign in 2018 to being one of two Minor Leaguers to hit 30 dingers and steal 30 bases in 2019. He began the year with Class A Advanced Winston-Salem, posting a 1.432 OPS in a month with the Dash. He dominated 56 games in the Southern League, batting .314 with eight homers, 21 steals and an .880 OPS for Double-A Birmingham, then capped his breakout season with 16 homers in 47 International League contests for Triple-A Charlotte.
MLB.com's No. 3 overall prospecttook home the MiLBY for Offensive Player of the Year for the numbers and moments that drove his rapid ascent through the White Sox system. Robert's coaches attributed his success to being more comfortable, confident and mature -- all of which came easier while fully healthy.
"I think [in 2018] the nicks and bruises and pain he was trying to play through at times was really affecting not only what he could physically be able to do, but the mental side of it as well," Dash manager Justin Jirschele said. "That freed him up big time this year and the confidence grew. And again, he's a year older, he's mature, he's more comfortable being around his teammates, being in the game, being in the ballparks -- I just think a little bit of everything about being a year older and being more comfortable, he was able to put it all together."
Robert, who signed for $26 million out of Cuba in May of 2017, is the fifth player to receive a long-term extension prior to making his Major League debut. Former Astro Jon Singleton was the first (2014), the Phillies followed with Scott Kingery (2018), the White Sox also inkedEloy Jiménez to a similar deal last year, and Seattle's Evan Whitejoined that group earlier this offseason.
Joe Bloss is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @jtbloss.
Late Innings Doom Soddies In Sunday Defeat
AMARILLO, TX. (June 1, 2025) -- The Amarillo Sod Poodles (21-30) fell to the Frisco RoughRiders (31-19), 6-2, on Sunday afternoon at HODGETOWN. The Soddies drop their fourth straight in the series finale despite a quality start from the Amarillo righty. Jose Cabrera worked quickly through the first inning this
Early Frisco Long Balls Sinks Soddies
AMARILLO, TX. (May 31, 2025) -- The Amarillo Sod Poodles (21-29) fell to the Frisco RoughRiders (30-19), 11-6, on Saturday night at HODGETOWN. The visitors rode a five-run sixth inning to tab the Sod Poodles with the series defeat. The RoughRiders began play with a first-inning home run for the
Soddies Bats Held At Bay In Loss To RoughRiders
AMARILLO, TX. (May 30, 2025) -- The Amarillo Sod Poodles (21-28) fell to the Frisco RoughRiders (29-19), 7-1, on Friday night at HODGETOWN. The hometown squad mustered only one run in their second straight defeat to open the weekend. For the second time this series, Frisco struck the first blow
Sod Poodles Bested In Pitcher’s Duel
AMARILLO, TX. (May 29, 2025) -- The Amarillo Sod Poodles (21-27) fell to the Frisco RoughRiders (28-19), 3-1, on Thursday night at HODGETOWN. Despite a quality start from the Amarillo lefty, the Sod Poodles drop the low-scoring pitcher’s duel. Frisco cracked the scoreboard first this evening, earning a run on
Troy Homers Twice, Fuels Offensive Outburst
AMARILLO, TX. (May 28, 2025) -- The Amarillo Sod Poodles (21-26) defeated the Frisco RoughRiders (27-19), 11-2, on Wednesday night at HODGETOWN. A strong starting effort on the hill was backed by a six-run fifth inning that led to the series evening victory for Amarillo. It would only take one
Amarillo Drops Series Opener To Frisco
AMARILLO, TX. (May 27, 2025) -- The Amarillo Sod Poodles (20-26) fell to the Frisco RoughRiders (27-18), 7-5, on Tuesday evening at HODGETOWN. Following two weeks on the road, Amarillo dropped the series opener at home playing as the Pointy Boots de Amarillo. Both offenses went straight to work, scoring
Player Spotlight: Starting Rotation Shines Bright
AMARILLO, TX – Since the calendar turned to May, it has been the month of the starting pitcher for the Sod Poodles. As the team returns to hitter-friendly HODGETOWN this week, let’s shine the spotlight on the arms of the starters. Amarillo’s five-man rotation of Dylan Ray, Avery Short, Spencer
Angelo's Brilliant Start Squandered In Extras
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX. (May 25, 2025) -- The Amarillo Sod Poodles (20-25) fell to the Corpus Christi Hooks (16-28), 6-5, in 10 innings on Sunday night at Whataburger Field. A strong starting effort was erased by a late Hooks surge, tabbing the Sod Poodles with the series loss, four games
Amarillo Stumbles in One-Run Defeat
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX. (May 24, 2025) -- The Amarillo Sod Poodles (20-24) fell to the Corpus Christi Hooks (15-28), 3-2, on Saturday night at Whataburger Field. A late inning home run and three stolen bases spelled trouble for Amarillo and gave the hosts a one-run victory. Kristian Robinson led off
Sod Poodles Shutout Hooks in 1-0 Pitcher's Duel
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX. (May 23, 2025) -- The Amarillo Sod Poodles (20-23) defeated the Corpus Christi Hooks (14-28), 1-0, on Friday evening at Whataburger Field. Five Amarillo pitchers combined to blank the Hooks, evening up the series and secured Amarillo’s 20th win of the 2025 campaign. Both starters showed their
Sod Poodles Hitting Clinic Leads To Thursday Win
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX. (May 22, 2025) -- The Amarillo Sod Poodles (19-23) defeated the Corpus Christi Hooks (14-27), 10-3, on Thursday night at Whataburger Field. Backed by the fourth straight quality start from Dylan Ray, Amarillo puts up double-digit runs to earn the win. Despite two quick outs to open
Amarillo Walked Off In Wednesday Matinee
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX. (May 21, 2025) -- The Amarillo Sod Poodles (18-23) fell to the Corpus Christi Hooks (14-26), 6-5, in 10 innings on Wednesday afternoon at Whataburger Field. Bryce Willits delivered a walk-off single to hand the Hooks consecutive home victories. Amarillo scored first in the opening stanza after
Hurley Homers As Soddies Drop Opener To Hooks
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX. (May 20, 2025) -- The Amarillo Sod Poodles (18-21) fell to the Corpus Christi Hooks (13-26), 4-2, on Tuesday night at Whataburger Field. The Soddies’ center fielder drove in both of Amarillo’s two runs in the series opening pitching duel It was smooth sailing in the opening
Amarillo Sticks Silenced In Sunday Finale
SPRINGFIELD, MO. (May 18, 2025) -- The Amarillo Sod Poodles (18-21) fell to the Springfield Cardinals (19-20), 6-1, on Sunday afternoon at Hammons Field. The Cardinals kept Amarillo traffic off the basepaths, tabbing the Soddies with the loss in the series finale After a scoreless top of the first, the
Ninth Inning Comeback Secures Amarillo Win
SPRINGFIELD, MO. (May 15, 2025) -- The Amarillo Sod Poodles (17-19) defeated the Springfield Cardinals (17-19), 5-4, on Thursday night at Hammons Field. Tommy Troy’s go-ahead two-run single in the ninth provided a one-run victory for Amarillo over Springfield, who played as the Cashew Chickens. An early pitcher’s duel saw
Cardinals Outlast Soddies In One-Run Battle
SPRINGFIELD, MO. (May 17, 2025) -- The Amarillo Sod Poodles (18-20) fell to the Springfield Cardinals (18-20), 4-3, on Saturday night at Hammons Field. Both squads go back and forth in the late innings, but the hometown team ends up on top. The Cardinals struck first this evening courtesy of
Amarillo Rides Late Inning Pushes To Victory
SPRINGFIELD, MO. (May 16, 2025) -- The Amarillo Sod Poodles (18-19) defeated the Springfield Cardinals (17-20), 3-2, on Friday night at Hammons Field. For the second straight night, the Sod Poodles battle from behind to even the series at two games apiece. Strikeouts were in high supply early in the
Late Inning Swing Hurts Soddies On Wednesday
SPRINGFIELD, MO. (May 14, 2025) -- The Amarillo Sod Poodles (16-19) fell to the Springfield Cardinals (17-18), 7-5, on Wednesday afternoon at Hammons Field. The Cardinals secured the back-and-forth affair on a clutch three-run homer in the seventh inning. The Soddies tallied a pair of runs in their first at-bats
Sod Poodles Win Sunday Home Finale
AMARILLO, TX (May 11, 2025) -- The Amarillo Sod Poodles (16-17) defeated the Tulsa Drillers (14-19), 6-1, on Sunday afternoon at HODGETOWN. A four-run fifth and 4.2 innings of scoreless relief fueled the Sod Poodles to their third straight series victory and first Sunday home win. Tulsa scored first on
Giesting Dazzles In Series Opening Defeat
SPRINGFIELD, MO. (May 13, 2025) -- The Amarillo Sod Poodles (16-18) fell to the Springfield Cardinals (16-18), 7-2, on Tuesday night at Hammons Field. The Cardinals overcame a seven-inning masterpiece from the Amarillo starter, taking the series opener after a six-run eighth. Kristian Robinson led off the series opener with
Ray Shines, Calf Fries Win On County Fair Night
AMARILLO, TX (May 10, 2025) -- The Amarillo Calf Fries (15-17) defeated the Tulsa Drillers (14-18), 5-1, on Saturday night at HODGETOWN. Dylan Ray’s second straight scoreless outing set the tone for a Calf Fries victory on County Fair Night in front of a season high 6,128 fans. Amarillo struck
Ninth Inning Rally Sinks Soddies On Friday Night
AMARILLO, TX (May 9, 2025) -- The Amarillo Sod Poodles (14-17) fell to the Tulsa Drillers (14-17), 6-4, on Friday night at HODGETOWN. A late inning push by the visitors tabbed the Soddies with the loss, evening the series at two. It wouldn’t take long for the Sod Poodles to
Twin-Bill Sweep Highlighted By Soddies Starters, Walkoff Winner
AMARILLO, TX (May 8, 2025) -- The Amarillo Sod Poodles (14-16) defeated the Tulsa Drillers (13-17), in both games of the Thursday night doubleheader by scores of 6-5 and 5-4 at HODGETOWN. The hometown squad earned their second doubleheader sweep in walk-off fashion backed by stellar starting pitching in both
Dylan Ray Named Texas League Pitcher of the Week
AMARILLO, TX (May 5, 2025) – Minor League Baseball today announced that Amarillo Sod Poodles right-handed pitcher Dylan Ray is the Texas League Pitcher of the Week for the week of April 29 - May 4. Rated as the Diamondbacks number 20 prospect (MLB Pipeline), Ray shined among top Texas
Sod Poodles Steam Day to be reimagined in Pecos League Exhibition at HODGETOWN
AMARILLO, TX (May 8, 2025) – The Amarillo Sod Poodles today announced that postponed STEAM Day activities will be made up on Tuesday, May 20 during an exhibition baseball game between teams in the Pecos League, an independent professional baseball league in the southwest United States. In an effort to