Luis Robert es El Pantera.

[JazzyCyclist]

As seen on the Twitters...

There are 244 hitters who have seen at least 50 pitches so far this season.

Who has seen the lowest rate of fastballs (4-seamers/2-seamers/sinkers)?

Luis Robert: 30.5%.

https://twitter.com/andrewsimonmlb/status/1288854487122227200?s=21

Also:

https://www.soxmachine.com/2020/07/28/luis-roberts-introduction-uncommonly-smooth-for-white-sox-prospects/

So far, he has looked very fluid in the OF and poised at the plate. He seems to have more plate discipline than Eloy and a decent eye. I wonder why his minor league defense wasn’t rated higher.

[Mohoney]

Eloy had a similar situation last year. Barely any fastballs, and practically none of them in 2-strike counts.

This is another reason I can’t stand Renteria. Forget the dumb idea of the “pressure” of hitting Robert higher in the order, and think about the other aspects of the situation. Besides, a rookie is going to feel “pressure” no matter where he hits in the lineup.

Why would a pitcher ever challenge Robert in the #7 spot when he can take his chances with the crapfest below him? Abreu and EE should be protecting Eloy and Robert, not the other way around.

[JazzyCyclist]

I agree about Renteria’s lineups. In the past, I have withheld judgement because he was given subpar rosters to manage. That’s no longer the case, even when Leury, Delmonico, and Engel are getting starts because Marzara and Madrigal aren’t up yet. Given the early returns, I think Robert could handle batting 5 in the order behind Eloy at 4 and in front of EE at 6. I’d bat Grandal at 7.

[voodoochile]

I agree about Renteria’s lineups. In the past, I have withheld judgement because he was given subpar rosters to manage. That’s no longer the case, even when Leury, Delmonico, and Engel are getting starts because Marzara and Madrigal aren’t up yet. Given the early returns, I think Robert could handle batting 5 in the order behind Eloy at 4 and in front of EE at 6. I’d bat Grandal at 7.

I think that's fine and I like the idea of letting more accomplished and established hitters bat with less protection. Of Course soon Mazara comes back and he bats 8th with Madrigal 9th. Maybe as soon as Monday so there will be more protection coming.

I also don't have a problem with the way things started out. We are only 6 games into the season -10% - the equivalent of mid-April in a normal season having played 16 games. It's typical to start the season with the established hitters hitting in the middle order slots. Both Grandal and EE were hired in part to do just that and have hit in those slots through their career, so it would be very early to be bumping them both down the lineup and moving the kids up.

Again, I don't have problem with doing that and eventually both Robert and Eloy will be hitting higher in the lineup assuming they live up to expectations. Robert might go as high as 2 with Moncada 3rd and Eloy batting cleanup. I can also understand why that hasn't happened yet and I think most people understand that concept too. Regardless of what we think of Ricky as a manager, this doesn't seem to be a reason to be upset with him, IMO.

[Mohoney]

EE and Grandal are also guys who will gladly take walks if guys try to pitch around them.

If Robert absolutely must hit at the bottom half of the order, hit him 6th, with Grandal 5th and EE 7th. We all know that Abreu will be hitting 3rd until the Apocalypse, so it’s pointless to even wish for a change there. Besides, the 3rd spot is actually not as important as the 2nd and 4th spots, which means that Renteria is actually doing the right thing there despite his best efforts to do otherwise.

1 TA
2 Moncada
3 Abreu
4 Eloy
5 Grandal
6 Robert
7 EE
8 Mazara
9 Madrigal

This fits lots of Ricky’s dumb criteria: never more than 2 consecutive righty bats, keeps “pressure” off Robert by keeping him lower in the order, and keeps the Abreu security blankie 3rd.

Meanwhile, it puts a proven major league power hitter behind Robert and a proven major league OBP generator in front of him. It also puts plate discipline in front of the Mazara/Madrigal 8/9, which should help kick up the overall team OBP.

[vegandork]

EE and Grandal are also guys who will gladly take walks if guys try to pitch around them.

If Robert absolutely must hit at the bottom half of the order, hit him 6th, with Grandal 5th and EE 7th. We all know that Abreu will be hitting 3rd until the Apocalypse, so it’s pointless to even wish for a change there. Besides, the 3rd spot is actually not as important as the 2nd and 4th spots, which means that Renteria is actually doing the right thing there despite his best efforts to do otherwise.

1 TA
2 Moncada
3 Abreu
4 Eloy
5 Grandal
6 Robert
7 EE
8 Mazara
9 Madrigal

This fits lots of Ricky’s dumb criteria: never more than 2 consecutive righty bats, keeps “pressure” off Robert by keeping him lower in the order, and keeps the Abreu security blankie 3rd.

Meanwhile, it puts a proven major league power hitter behind Robert and a proven major league OBP generator in front of him. It also puts plate discipline in front of the Mazara/Madrigal 8/9, which should help kick up the overall team OBP.

The best part is when Mazara is on the team and Ricky bats him 6th but keeps Robert and Eloy buried at 7 and lower. Because of lefty balance.

[ChiTownTrojan]

The best part is when Mazara is on the team and Ricky bats him 6th but keeps Robert and Eloy buried at 7 and lower. Because of lefty balance.

If Grandal is sitting I wouldn’t be surprised if Mazara is hitting cleanup.

[voodoochile]

More hype from ESPN:

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/...next-superstar

[Dumpjerry]

More hype from ESPN:

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/...next-superstar

This is good news for Mike Trout. He won't have to lose sleep at night wondering where he can put his future MVP awards.

[Rocky]

La Pantera. In Spanish, animals that end in an "a" get the female prefix of La. Just an FYI.

So excited to see him play. He is only going to get much better.

[JazzyCyclist]

La Pantera. In Spanish, animals that end in an "a" get the female prefix of La. Just an FYI.

So excited to see him play. He is only going to get much better.

Yeah, I knew that. My English-speaking brain, however, just couldn’t attach “La” to Luis Robert.