In My Words: Robert feels special with Sox

June 1st, 2017

As every Cuban person who left Cuba looking to play for a Major League organization knows, I feel very happy and proud to be here with the Chicago White Sox. This is very exciting.
I don't know how to explain my family's reaction when I told them I signed with the White Sox. My dad (Luis Robert Robles), my mom (Miguelina Moirán Centeno), my sisters (Yudeimis Robert Moirán, 26, and Yaimer Robert Moirán, 23) all went crazy. They wanted to see me. I hope, with God's help, to see them soon.
:: Chicago White Sox: In My Words ::
It was a very tough decision to leave my country. I left my parents and my family behind. It was a very tough decision. I thank God because they have always supported me. They have been telling me that I have to keep going after this first step, that I have to reach for my dreams.
I think that (White Sox director of international scouting) Marco Paddy helped to make this happen. He was always there, following me at each workout. This was a deal that my agents and the White Sox made. I think that money was a factor, too. The White Sox probably were the team that offered more money. All of those factors brought me here. I really felt that the White Sox wanted me on their team, because their manager talked to me in a special way during that video.
I knew that was playing here, and that Alexei Ramírez and Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez used to play here. I also knew that was traded here and that this team won the World Series in 2005.
It means a lot for me to have other Cuban players here, because having countrymen guide me means a lot. Abreu, in particular, can be a big help for me, because he is a veteran and has experience in this league.

I had never spoken with Abreu before coming here. When I started to play in Cuba Serie Nacional, he wasn't playing there. When we met, he told me: "God bless you. Many, many blessings for you and good luck. Work hard and keep looking forward to get to big leagues."
Moncada and I didn't play together in the Serie Nacional, but we were teammates in a youth international tournament. To play along with Moncada will be a huge advantage, because he is an outstanding player with many tools.
I'm always ready to play baseball, because it is what I love. I haven't played in seven months, so I'm ready to start playing baseball.

I consider myself a great hitter, but my principal tool is my legs. I've liked to run since I was a kid. I like to steal bases and cover a lot of ground in the outfield. Center field is my favorite position to play. I can play the three positions in the outfield, but center field is where I feel most comfortable.
As a batter, I considered myself both a power hitter and contact hitter. I think after a full year playing in the Minors, I will be ready to help the White Sox. I have a winning mentality.
People are always asking about my body; about what I do to keep my body in shape. I don't have secrets. I work out in the gym because I like the gym. I like working a lot with my personal trainer, Rosario. That is how I keep my body in good shape.
My favorites players right now in Major League Baseball are Manny Machado, and . I like these players a lot.
It's an honor for me to represent my country. I would like to be known to my countrymen as a good person, and they could say, "Oh, it is Luis Robert, he is a good kid. That kid worked hard, left his family behind to go for his dream to play in the big leagues." That would be beautiful.