This heavy bat is starting to come around for White Sox

DETROIT, MI - APRIL 9: Luis Robert #88 of the Chicago White Sox gets ready to bat against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on April 9, 2022, in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - APRIL 9: Luis Robert #88 of the Chicago White Sox gets ready to bat against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on April 9, 2022, in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)

After opening the season and going seven for 20 from the plate, Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert hit a cooling-off period where he went 0-20 during a five-game stretch. However, after coming back from a groin injury that forced him to miss two series, Robert may have regained his stroke.

Robert had a nice day in the series finale against the Los Angeles Angels going three for four with a run scored in the White Sox 3-0 win. In the four games against the Angels, Robert went six for 17 to bring his average up to .246.

Things started off well for the White Sox when Robert followed Tim Anderson’s single in the first inning with one of his own off of starter Patrick Sandoval.

Following an error by left fielder Jo Adell, Anderson came home on an AJ Pollock grounder with Robert crossing the plate moments later thanks to a sacrifice fly by Jake Burger. Robert closed out his day with two more singles and a strikeout.

The Chicago White Sox needs a lot from Luis Robert’s bat this season.

Robert’s improvement comes at a time the White Sox really need it to get their offense in gear. Things have been looking up at the top of the order as Anderson has gone 10 for 24 in his last six games. Over the last three games, the pair have combined to go 12-26 with two home runs and five RBI.

Robert was hitting .350 four games into the season and then watched as his average plummeted 162 points to .188 after the opener with the Angels. He has rebounded nicely over the last few days by raising his slash line to .246/.258/.426.

His performance of late along with how he opened the season is what had people talking about him as a candidate for Most Valuable Player. He possesses the physical skills to be an offensive force in the league which he can be if he stays healthy. The same could be said for his defense as evidenced by his Gold Glove Award in 2020.

What has been most impressive about his at-bats has been his discipline. His nine strikeouts in 61 at-bats qualify as one of the best in the league and come out to a solid 16 percent rate.

Players will go through ups and downs during the course of a season. If Robert can avoid another slump like he had in mid-April and backs up Anderson as he is capable of, he and the team could be just fine as the season progresses.

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