Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Luis Robert and why are the White Sox interested in him?
Luis Robert is a 19-year-old Cuban outfielder considered the best international free agent on the market. One American League scout called him the best player on the planet, and the White Sox are named as the frontrunners to sign him due to their flexible bonus pool situation.
What did Luis Robert do in Cuba's Serie Nacional?
Robert hit .401/.526/.687 with 12 home runs and 11 stolen bases over 232 plate appearances in the 2016-17 Serie Nacional season. He led the league in both slugging and on-base percentage before leaving in November, and those numbers came against players much older than him.
Why are the Cubs, Dodgers, Giants, and Royals not able to sign Luis Robert?
Those four teams exceeded their international bonus pools in 2015-16, so as a penalty they cannot sign any player for more than $300,000 in either that signing period or the next one. That effectively takes them out of the running for a high-priced prospect like Robert.
How does Luis Robert fit into the White Sox rebuild?
The White Sox farm system is heavily pitcher-based after the Adam Eaton and Chris Sale trades, with only three hitters in their top 10 prospects. Adding Robert would help balance the young core, and a lineup featuring him and Yoan Moncada alongside a rotation of Kopech, Lopez, and Giolito could make Chicago a serious threat in the AL.
Why would the White Sox be a good fit for Luis Robert personally?
Chicago already has two Cuban-born players in Jose Abreu and Yoan Moncada, which would help Robert acclimate to life in the MLB more comfortably. The White Sox also project to be contenders by 2019, giving Robert a chance to play for a winner once he is ready for the majors.