Chicago White Sox Will Hold Private Workout for Cuban Outfielder Luis Robert

By Josh Marshall | Apr 1, 2017

Dec 6, 2016; National Harbor, MD, USA; Chicago White Sox general manager Rick Hahn speaks with the media after the White Sox traded pitcher Chris Sale (not pictured) to the Boston Red Sox on day two of the 2016 Baseball Winter Meetings at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

The Chicago White Sox will hold a private workout with 19-year-old Cuban star center fielder Luis Robert.

The Chicago White Sox are making headlines yet again, this time for a different reason. The White Sox have been heavily connected to 19-year-old Cuban phenom Luis Robert and he will be available to major league teams soon. The White Sox are making a strong push to be the team that lands him.

According to Ben Badler of Baseball America, the White Sox will hold a private workout with Robert next week. The Houston Astros will also have him in for a private showcase.

Robert is a 6-3, 185-pound center fielder and scouts have been following him since he was 15-years-old. He is known for his athletic build and his ridiculous raw speed. Robert was leading his league in OPS before leaving recently to take up residency in the United States.

International players must obtain residency outside of Cuba before they can be eligible to sign with a major league team. The hope for the Chicago White Sox is that Robert gets the green light from the commissioner’s office by June 15th. The White Sox would then be able to spend big on Robert, while many other teams have already hit their cap.

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If he cannot sign by June 15th, Robert will have to wait until July 2nd to sign. Being forced to wait could cost him a lot of money and will open up the competition to more team. Teams will be under a more restrictive signing procedure to sign international talent in the July 2nd period.

Will Rick Hahn and company make the move and go after Luis Robert? Time will tell, but if they do, they will be adding another elite prospect to an already loaded minor league system.

Most scouts right now compare Robert to a top first round draft pick and see him immediately making an impact on a High-A team. Imagine if the White Sox could add this talent to their already impressive farm system. Hahn must do everything in his power to land Robert and I believe he will do so.

The big advantage Chicago has right now is the money and also Cuban star Jose Abreu in the lineup. Abreu will be a huge selling point once the White Sox get to talk with Robert and his advisors.

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Also, the White Sox have Yoan Moncada in their farm system right now who also grew up playing ball in Cuba. These two names could very much sway Robert in signing with the White Sox.

I personally think this would be a huge move for the White Sox. The kid has talent go out and make sure he signs with the Sox and continue to add talent to your farm system. Hopefully, they can come to an agreement and Robert signs a contract in June.

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