Luis Robert Jr. is the new Mets centerfielder, and his manager believes he could be a game-changer – if he can stay fit.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza has repeated that caveat often since Robert’s arrival.
The Mets acquired Robert from the White Sox for Luisangel Acuna and a pitching prospect. In 2023, Robert was an All-Star and Silver Slugger.
Robert’s Potential and Health Concerns
Mendoza believes that “the sky is the limit” for Robert. In 2023, Mendoza said, Robert was one of the best players in the league when healthy.
Mendoza highlighted Robert’s abilities in the outfield, his speed, his base-stealing ability, and his hitting power. The Mets know that they have to keep him on the field to utilise those skills.
Robert’s health is the main concern. His legs caused him problems with the White Sox, with hip, knee, quadriceps and calf issues limiting his playing time.
Exceeding 2023 Performance
Robert, at 28, is in his prime. He wasn’t fully healthy even in 2023, battling multiple lower-body injuries.
In 2023 he had a .264/.315/.542 slash line with 38 homers, 80 RBIs and 20 stolen bases and was 12 outs above replacement in the field.
Robert was “the guy” on a White Sox team that lacked firepower. The 2023 White Sox had the second-lowest OPS in baseball.
- If you exclude Robert, the starting lineup’s WAR was below zero.
- Juan Soto alone had a 5.3 WAR in 2023.
Cautious Approach and Robert’s Aggressiveness
The Mets are taking a cautious approach with Robert. He didn’t play in spring training games until mid-March and he won’t play every day.
The Mets hope this approach will allow him to be at his best come October. After the Mets’ 11-7 win over the Pirates on Thursday, Mendoza pointed out that Robert is going to chase.
In his All-Star year, Robert had a 40.6 chase percentage, which was in the third percentile in baseball. During that year, if a ball was thrown in the same ZIP code, Robert was going to try to hit it.
In the game against the Pirates, Robert fell behind 1-and-2 against Paul Skenes, fouled off the next three pitches and eventually laid off a sweeper that broke outside for ball four.
Robert has the potential to be this season’s magic ingredient if he can stay healthy.