Robert Jr. sets sights on 30-30-20 season

All-Star CF would become second White Sox player to achieve feat

August 9th, 2023

CHICAGO --  would be one of the leading candidates for the 2023 American League Most Valuable Player Award if Shohei Ohtani didn’t exist -- or at least wasn’t in the AL -- and if the White Sox didn’t have a 46-69 record following a 7-1 loss to the Yankees on Tuesday.

So instead of focusing on this top honor, of which the 26-year-old White Sox center fielder certainly is worthy based on his impressive statistics, let’s focus on another set of numbers.

30-30-20.

That works out to at least 30 home runs, at least 30 doubles and at least 20 stolen bases recorded in the same season, which has been accomplished only once in franchise history, by Magglio Ordonez in 2001 (31-40-25). With his fourth-inning home run off Yankees starter Clarke Schmidt at Guaranteed Rate Field, Robert Jr. has 31 homers to go with 30 doubles.

He has 14 stolen bases, leaving Robert Jr. with a little work to do with less than two months remaining in the season.

“I didn’t know that,” said Robert Jr. through interpreter Billy Russo of the milestone. “I would like to steal 20, but actually, the real goal, the real number is 30. We’ll see if I’m able to do it.”

Robert Jr. wasn’t clear on whether that 30-30 target was meant for the 2023 campaign or one of his future seasons, but he would be the first ever to do it for the White Sox. Those numbers mean a little less to him than the 111 under the games played column.

His previous single-season high was 98 in 2022, though he played in 56 of 60 during his pandemic-shortened rookie campaign in ‘20. Robert Jr. set a goal for 150 or more games entering ‘23.

“I’ve told you guys before the most important thing for me, and I think the key for me this year has been that I’ve been able to be on the field and play every day,” said Robert Jr., who has previously missed time due to injuries. “That’s my goal. I know if I’m able to be on the field, I can perform and do what I know I can do.

“Results are there. I’ve been able to be there almost every day and been able to have a good season.”

Those results have been missing for the White Sox offense as a whole. On Tuesday, Chicago hurlers Touki Toussaint (nine), Declan Cronin (five) and Tanner Banks (three) combined to strike out 17 Yankees.

It’s the 11th time the White Sox have struck out 14 or more this season. They are 0-11 in those games, indicating a lack of run support.

“We’re just not consistent,” said White Sox manager Pedro Grifol, whose offense finished with 13 strikeouts against one walk. “There are games where we come out and we control the strike zone, we might do it for a couple of days, and then there are games we chase a lot.

“They threw some guys at us with good stuff, but it seems like every night we’re seeing good stuff. It’s our responsibility, our job, to make adjustments and continue to improve and control the strike zone. If you can’t control the strike zone in this league, you’re going to have a hard time.”

Leading by example has been the way for Robert Jr. He was selected as an AL All-Star for the first time, made an impressive showing in the Home Run Derby and continues to play Gold Glove-caliber defense.

Now, about those six stolen bases … or 16 in Robert Jr.’s mind.

“Yes, of course, all those numbers mean something for you,” he said. “Even though this is a team, it’s what you do that makes you help the team. Every athlete, every player that has the chance to go out there every day and play has the chance to lead by example.

“Each one of us has to take care of what we need to do to win games. If you prepare yourself to go out and win games, that’s all you want. That’s what we are trying to do. … Win, that’s our goal.”