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MLB: Milwaukee Brewers at Chicago White Sox MLB: Milwaukee Brewers at the White Sox May 1, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. (88) hits a three-run double against the Milwaukee Brewers during the seventh inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Chicago White Sox outfielder is doing something not done since 2010 despite struggles

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Zack Cariola | Last updated May 15, 2025 2:49 PM ET

The Chicago White Sox don’t have much to be excited about for this season, but they can be excited about the plethora of prospects in their farm systems that should be up soon to usher in a new era of White Sox baseball. Other than those prospects, the White Sox have some interesting pieces on their major league roster, who will play key parts in bringing back vital pieces to help rebuild the White Sox into a playoff-caliber team.

One of those potential trade pieces the White Sox have is Luis Robert Jr., who hasn’t gotten off to the best start, but is grinding and working his way out of this slump. Thankfully, Robert Jr’s struggles have only come while at the plate and have not bled over into his defense of base running, which has been where they normally are.

Luis Robert Jr. has done one thing well for the Chicago White Sox this season

Even though his bat hasn’t come around, Robert Jr. has been outstanding in the field and on the base paths, as his game there has looked better than ever. Currently, the 27-year-old Robert Jr. is the leader in steals for all of Major League Baseball, with 17 only being caught five times, and ranks in the 85th percentile for his spring speed.

Robert Jr.’s 17 steals, according to the White Sox on Twitter, is the most stolen bases by a White Sox player in the first 39 games to start the season since Juan Pierre stole 18 bases during the 2010 season. During that year, Pierrefinished with 68 and was only caught 18 times, which led the MLB.

“He’s fast, okay?”

He's fast, okay? pic.twitter.com/R9WUQmd0jt

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) May 15, 2025

Robert Jr. needs to boost his trade value

MLB: Milwaukee Brewers at Chicago White Sox MLB: Milwaukee Brewers at Chicago White Sox May 1, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. (88) hits a three-run double against the Milwaukee Brewers during the seventh inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Thankfully, he is still showing that he can steal bases, and having his legs under him is a great sign and should help alleviate other teams’ worries that he has fallen off. Overall, this season, Robert Jr. is slashing .190/.296/.321 for an OPS and OPS+ of .617 and 77.

The White Sox need Robert Jr. to turn things around and get back to the player he was in 2023 if they’re to find a suitor for him. So far, the only team interested in trading for Luis has been the New York Mets, with their No. 15 overall prospect, right-handed pitcher Blake Tidwell, being the name throughout as a return piece.

Whatever happens with Robert Jr., having him lead all of baseball in one major offensive category is a great sign, and could mean better days lie ahead.

MLB: Milwaukee Brewers at Chicago White Sox MLB: Milwaukee Brewers at Chicago White Sox May 1, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. (88) runs after hitting a three-run double against the Milwaukee Brewers during the seventh inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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