The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

KRISTIAN Robinson will miss the playoff run with the team he spent the bulk of his rookie season with, but his progression in the Arizona Diamondbacks farm system provided a new opportunity late in the season.

Robinson was assigned to the Missoula Osprey of the Pioneer league from the AZL D-backs of the Arizona Summer League.

In just seven games with the Osprey, Robinson has shown flashes of the potential that made him the Diamondbacks’ most sought after target of the International Signing Period.

Robinson’s productive series against the Grand Junction Rockies were highlighted by the first multi home-run game of his professional career.

He went 2-3 with two home runs and four RBI in a 10-7 loss on Saturday.

Robinson hit a 401-foot home run to left field in the fourth inning. He followed with a 438-foot solo shot in the sixth. He finished 5-10 at the plate in the three-game series.

His promotion to the Ospreys began with a head-to-head matchup against D’Shawn Knowles and the Orem Owlz. Robinson finished 1-4 with one run and one RBI while Knowles was 2-4 with three runs scored in a 7-3 win for the Owlz.

The Pioneer League operates in the Rocky Mountain region and in the past, it also operated in adjoining portions of Canada. It is classified as a rookie league, and is staffed with mostly first and second year players in a short-season league operating from June to early September.

Robinson is hitting 2.73 through seven games with six hits, seven runs, six RBI, three stolen bases, slugging .591 with a 1.019 OPS.

Along with fellow Bahamian Dominique Collie, Robinson helped the AZL D-backs to clinch its first-ever playoff berth in the Arizona Rookie League.

Following the conclusion of training camp in March, Robinson, listed as the No.12 prospect in the Diamondbacks organisation, was invited to extended spring training prior to the regular season.

In 40 AZL games, he hit .272 with a .754 OPS, .341 OBP, 31 RBI, four home runs, 11 doubles, seven stolen bases and scored 35 runs.

“The D-backs love his physicality and potential to tap into his considerable raw power. He showed a pretty good understanding of the strike zone with some plate discipline already, especially given his age and lack of experience, and the D-backs know there will be a learning curve in terms of recognising breaking and offspeed stuff. Robinson has enough speed to stay in centre, but there’s the chance he’ll outgrow the spot, in which case he’ll fit nicely in a corner,” says his prospect analysis on MLB.com.

“The D-backs are preaching patience and caution when talking about Robinson, noting that coming from the Bahamas isn’t the same as coming from a place like the Dominican Republic in terms of experience.

“They see Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts as a potential model, one who played in the Dominican Summer League for his first summer of pro ball, while Robinson was able to make his debut in the United States, playing in the rookie-level Arizona League in 2018.”