CHICAGO – Luis Robert Jr. is using this offseason to get better in any way possible as the center fielder prepares for a seventh season with the White Sox.
“Iâ€ve been working on everything. I want to improve on everything in my game,†said Robert through interpreter Billy Russo during a Wednesday afternoon Zoom. “Iâ€ve been working on my body and my mind. My hitting.
“Iâ€m just trying to improve and to be better and to be able to display all I can do on the field. The main goal for me is to stay on the field, stay healthy.â€
Itâ€s a goal shared by the White Sox, assuming Robert remains with the team into Spring Training and beyond after the team exercised their $20 million option Tuesday on him for the 2026 campaign. When Robert is healthy and on his game, heâ€s one of the gameâ€s more dynamic talents.
Robert can hit for power, he can steal bases and he still plays solid defense in center field 577 games into his Major League career. Even in an overall down ‘25 season by Robertâ€s standards, he managed to knock 14 home runs, smack 12 doubles and pick up a career-high 33 stolen bases.
The overriding factor is keeping Robert consistently in good health, with the 28-year-old Cuban native missing time twice last season due to left hamstring issues, including a Grade 2 strain suffered on Aug. 26 that kept him out of action the rest of the way. As of Wednesday, Robert was feeling “100 percent.â€
“You guys know that has been an issue. Iâ€m just trying to get my leg stronger and that way being able to play a whole season through. Thatâ€s the main goal,†Robert said. “Iâ€m just trying to carry on what I did in the second half and to keep those adjustments that I made.
“Thatâ€s what Iâ€m working on right now. Trying to keep improving and really get a hold of those adjustments that I made and be able to come back next season and do it on a consistent basis.â€
By keeping things simple, not trying to do too much and in turn not overswinging, Robert produced a .298/.352/.456 slash line over 31 second-half games with five home runs, 18 RBIs, 11 stolen bases and 24 runs scored. The White Sox offense also took off after the All-Star break with 89 homers and 315 runs scored during a 28-37 stretch.
Itâ€s the sort of run, infused by young talent such as Colson Montgomeryâ€s 21 home runs, Miguel Vargas, Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero, to name a few offensively, leaving Robert optimistic for his teamâ€s chances in ‘26 even after a third straight year with 100-plus losses.
“We improved a lot during the second half of the season with all the young players coming up,†Robert said. “It was an exciting second half for us, and if weâ€re able to sustain that performance and to keep improving and developing, we are going to be a team thatâ€s going to be in contention for a playoff spot next season.
“As a professional, you need to focus on doing your job. And I think at this level if you do what youâ€re supposed to do, youâ€re helping your team. Thatâ€s the biggest motivation you can have, just trying to do your job as best as you can and perform.â€
Offseason work continues in Florida for Robert with Gregg Tekerman, his hitting/swing coach. Whether Robert will be helping the rebuilding White Sox climb or contributing to another team closer to contention will play out over the next few months.
Itâ€s really been a topic of conversation since the ‘24 Trade Deadline. But the even-keeled Robert isnâ€t currently bothered by trade possibilities.
“Right now, itâ€s not a distraction. I know this is a business, but I’m not overly concerned about it,†Robert said. “Hopefully, I can stay with this team for a long time, and if that is not the case, then Iâ€ll do my best with another team.
“I was hoping that this would happen, that I would stay with the team. Like Iâ€ve said before, this is the only team Iâ€ve played for. This is the team that gave me the opportunity to play in the best baseball in the world. Iâ€ve been in the ups and downs, and hopefully I can be in the ups that are coming for us.â€
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