In November 2016, Robert defected from Cuba to pursue a Major League Baseball (MLB) career in the United States.[4][5] On April 20, 2017, he was declared a free agent, but he was not eligible to sign with any major league club until May 20.[6][7]
In 2018, Robert made his first start at outfield in a spring training game and hit a two-out, go-ahead grand slam in the eighth inning, lifting the White Sox to a 14–12 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.[11] However, Robert was placed on the injured list for two months after the game, because he had sprained a ligament in his left thumb while sliding into second base.[12][13]
Robert began 2019 with the Winston-Salem Dash;[14] he was promoted to the Birmingham Barons on April 30.[15] Robert was named to the 2019 All-Star Futures Game.[16] On July 11, he made his debut with the Class AAA Charlotte Knights, where he hit two home runs in his first game with seven RBIs. Robert joined the 30/30 club by hitting 30 home runs and stealing 36 bases during the 2019 season.
In 2019, he scored 108 runs, the second most in the minor leagues, and he led the minors with 165 hits.[17]
Major league career
Rookie season and Gold Glove Award (2020)
On January 2, 2020, Robert agreed to a six-year, $50 million contract with the Chicago White Sox before appearing in a major league game.[18] The contract includes team options for 2026 and 2027 which, if exercised, could bring the value of the contract to $88 million.[19] On July 24, he made his MLB debut. He hit his first MLB home run on July 26.[20]
In August 2020, Robert batted .298/.356/.660, including seven doubles, nine home runs, 20 RBIs, and three stolen bases over 26 games. He won the American League (AL) Rookie of the Month Award, his first monthly award in the major leagues.[21] Overall in 2020, he batted .233/.302/.436 over 202 at-bats.[22] Robert hit his first postseason home run in Game 3 of the Wild Card Series against the Oakland Athletics off of Mike Fiers. His 487-foot home run was the longest postseason home run in White Sox history.[23] He also won the Gold Glove Award for center field, becoming the second White Sox player in history to win the award in his rookie season.[24] Robert also finished second in balloting for the AL Rookie of the Year Award, losing to Kyle Lewis of the Seattle Mariners.[25]
2021
Robert slashed .316/.359/.461 in 25 games through May 2, when he suffered a complete tear of his right hip flexor. The injury required a rehabilitation period of three to four months before he could resume baseball activities.[26][27] On May 27, he was placed on the 60-day injured list.[28] He was activated off the injured list on August 9.[29] Overall, Robert hit .338 with 13 home runs and 43 RBIs in 68 games in 2021.
2022
On July 14, 2022, in a game against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field, Robert hit his first career grand slam off of starting pitcher Sonny Gray.[30] On September 24, Robert was placed on the IL with a sprained left wrist which ended his season after getting hit by a pitch against the Seattle Mariners. In 2022, Robert appeared in 98 games, batting .284/.319/.426 with 12 home runs and 56 RBIs.[31]
2023
On February 17, 2023, Robert announced that he would utilize the "Jr." suffix in his name from then on, which would also be reflected on his uniform.[32] During a game against the Tampa Bay Rays on April 29, Robert was benched after not hustling to first base after hitting a ground ball to the third-base side of the mound. Robert stated after the game that the lack of hustle was due his legs being tired and having a tight right hamstring. Robert also said that he did not tell anybody about his alleged pain, including the manager, so that he would be able to play in the game.[33] Robert won the American League Player of the Week Award on June 26 after he batted .444 with a 1.111 slugging percentage in the previous six games.[34] Robert was named to his first ever All-Star Game.[35] Robert also announced he was going to be participating in the 2023 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby.[36] Robert advanced to the semi-finals where he eventually lost to Randy Arozarena. Robert announced he wouldn't be participating in the All-Star Game due to tightness in his right calf he suffered from the Home Run Derby.[37] Overall, in his All-Star season, Robert finished with a slash line of .264/.315/.542 in 145 games with 38 home runs, 80 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases, earning him a Silver Slugger Award and finishing 12th in MVP voting.
2024
On April 5, 2024, in a game against the Kansas City Royals, Robert suffered a Grade 2 flexor strain in his right hip while rounding first base in the ninth inning.[38] He was then placed on the 10-day injured list the next day and had to miss about two months.[39] The White Sox activated Robert from the IL on June 4 and made his return the same day against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. In his return, he went 2-for-4 with a 448-foot home run to left field off of pitcher Hayden Wesneski.[40] In 100 games for the White Sox in 2024, Robert batted .224/.278/.379 with 14 home runs, 23 stolen bases, and 35 RBIs.[41]
Robert was named to the Cuban national team for 2023 World Baseball Classic. He, along with White Sox teammate Yoán Moncada, became the first active MLB players to play for Cuba after having defected. Robert said the situation was "a little strange, because there are some [defectors] who sadly cannot play."[45] In the tournament, Robert batted .259/.286/.296, with seven hits and eight strikeouts in 27 at-bats.[46]
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