White Sox prospect Luis Robert had a down 2018 season, battling injuries and overall struggling in his first year playing baseball in the United States. He played in 50 minor league games, slashed .269/.333/.360, and didn’t hit a home run in nearly 200 at-bats. It didn’t take Robert long to show that he’s feeling pretty good this year, hitting two home runs on Opening Night with the Dash Thursday night.
As a matter of fact, the two home runs came in Robert’s first two at-bats of the season.
First, a three-run bomb.
Luis Robert hits a three run homer #luisrobert pic.twitter.com/d9kNKjgsmK
— Carolina League Prospects (@league_carolina) April 4, 2019
Then a two-run shot.
Oops he did it again #luisrobert pic.twitter.com/UizXrbmxhQ
— Carolina League Prospects (@league_carolina) April 5, 2019
The 21-year-old also walked and stole a base in the season-opener.
Yet, Robert didn’t even have the best night for White Sox prospects.
Zack Collins made his debut at Triple-A and what a debut it was. After striking out in his first at-bat, Collins hit two home runs and a triple, driving in five runs.
Zack Collins had one heck of an opening night for @KnightsBaseball.
(Hint: 💣💣) #NextSox pic.twitter.com/mgnjj2zisH
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) April 5, 2019
Great start to the minor league season and if both Robert and Collins live up to their offensive potential or come close to it, then you might see both with the White Sox by the end of 2020. Maybe even sooner.
The fifth ranked prospect in the White Sox minor league system, Nick Madrigal, went hitless in the opener. However, he did walk twice and stole two bases for the Dash.
Meanwhile, Dylan Cease is the fifth starter for the Charlotte Knights. He’ll make his second start in Indianapolis.
Per release from @KnightsBaseball, Donny Roach gets the Opening Day starting nod followed by LHP Jordan Guerrero, RHP Jordan Stephens, RHP Spencer Adams, and RHP Dylan Cease. That would leave Cease starting next Saturday in Indianapolis, Charlotte's closest trip to Chicago.
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) April 4, 2019
Cease could be on a very similar path to the majors as Michael Kopech was in 2018.
