GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The 0 under the Cactus League home run column for White Sox All-Star Luis Robert Jr. was erased during a 14-1 victory over the Reds Tuesday night at Goodyear Ballpark.
Robert Jr. went deep to right-center in the third inning and then launched a mammoth blast to center field in the fifth inning. There was no distance on that second drive but Reds media relations personnel believe it was the first homer ever to clear the 35 foot center field batting eye 410 feet away.
“It was good. It feels good,” Robert Jr. said. “I was looking for that pitch and he threw it in the right spot and I was able to hit it.
“Throughout the offseason, you work on things you want to put in play during Spring Training. That’s why you have Spring Training. I was feeling good. I think you are going to see the results now. I’m comfortable that I’m going to be ready for when the season starts because this is still the time for you to try new things.”
Martín Maldonado, Lenyn Sosa and Mike Moustakas joined Robert Jr. in the home run column, with Moustakas’ first long ball also traveling far to right field. Robert Jr. has been trying to focus on swinging at pitches within the strike zone and cutting down his chase.
Now he’s looking at simply trying to hit good pitches.
“If I’m able to control that, I’m pretty sure I’ll be a much better hitter,” Robert Jr. said. “I think what affected me early on in Spring Training was I was getting too patient or too focused on the strike zone and not swinging at pitches out of the strike zone.
“I’m just getting to that rhythm for feeling more comfortable hitting the pitches in the strike zone. When I’m able to do that on a consistent basis, I’m going to be able to do even more damage than I did last year.”
That ‘23 damage included 38 home runs, 36 doubles and 145 games played. But those results might only be the beginning for the 26-year-old who put together Tuesday’s show.