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Chicago White Sox reportedly major favorites for star Cuban outfielder Luis Robert

By Dan Schmelzer

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
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 /
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The Chicago White Sox appear to be major favorites for star Cuban outfield prospect Luis Robert.

The Chicago White Sox have had a better start to the 2017 season than any of us expected. However, we all know not to expect them to be competitive this season.

Once general manager Rick Hahn traded Chris Sale to the Boston Red Sox this offseason, the rebuild was officially on. Not long after the Sale trade, Hahn also sent outfielder Adam Eaton to the Washington Nationals for a host of prospects.

In those two deals alone, the White Sox acquired hotshot prospects Yoan Moncada, Michael Kopech, Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez to help build up the farm system. Their ability to add that much impact talent to the mix gave the White Sox one of the best minor league systems in baseball. But they are far from done adding future impact talent to the mix.

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Most notably, the White Sox have long been interested in 19-year-old Cuban outfield prospect Luis Robert. Robert is an extremely fast and athletic centerfielder who shows elite defensive skills and some serious pop in his bat. He is probably not major league ready at the moment, but whenever Robert signs, he will be considered by most to be one of the top prospects in the minor leagues.

The Chicago White Sox have been rumored to have an interest in Robert for a long time. They even had him in for a private workout just over a month ago. Robert can sign with a major league team as soon as this weekend and the competition for his services expects to be fierce. That being said, the White Sox are clearly one of the front-runners.

MLB insider Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports was on the Mully and Hanley Show on 670 the Score on Monday and had some interesting comments about Robert and the White Sox.

"“Obviously the White Sox are one of the teams involved,” Heyman said. “I’ve heard St. Louis, Houston, about eight other teams. But he’s an extremely talented outfielder and just a kind of guy the White Sox could use.”“The White Sox are a big-market team, need help particularly in the outfield perhaps — although the Garcias are playing well,” Heyman continued. “I think he fits. They seem to like him. They’ve talked about him a little bit. At this point, it’d be a surprise if he went somewhere else.”"

That last line really stands out. If Luis Robert does not sign with the Chicago White Sox, respected MLB insider Jon Heyman would be surprised. They are clearly the favorites to land him and are in great shape to improve their already impressive stock of prospects.

Next: White Sox: Ranking the Top 10 Prospects

The White Sox are doing an incredible job of building their team from within. Adding Robert to the mix would give them another budding superstar to build around. One thing is for sure, Rick Hahn and company have this ship pointed in the right direction.

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