Luis Robert Jr. Weighs In On Leadership In White Sox Clubhouse

Luis Robert Jr is not a leader. At least that is what he would tell you if you asked him.

A lot has been made about the White Sox leadership over the last several weeks. After Keynan Middleton peeled back the curtain of the dysfunction inside the clubhouse other reports have surfaced with a similar theme. There is a lack of leadership inside the clubhouse, especially from position players. 

Recently the White Sox best player, Luis Robert Jr., was asked for his thoughts. 

“I don’t see myself as a leader. I try to do my job and be on the field and do the things that we should all push to do and maybe be an example for others. But I don’t see myself as a leader.” 

According to White Sox beat reporter Vinnie Duber, when asked if there were any leaders on the team Robert responded “I don’t know.” 

Overall this was a refreshing answer from the White Sox center fielder. While Robert saying he doesn’t know if there are any leaders is concerning, it’s nothing that we did not already know. 

The White Sox are going to be building their future around Robert. But that doesn't mean he has to pretend to be something that he isn’t just because there is a void of leadership.

He recognizes who he is and his role in the clubhouse. The irony is that if he continues to set the right example with his play on the field and work ethic off of it he will develop into a leader naturally. That is how Jose Abreu became the most respected player in the White Sox clubhouse. 

Robert acknowledged that he has had trouble staying on the field. Over the offseason he recommitted himself to his durability, putting in more work on the baseball field instead of just hitting the weight room and batting cage like he had in offseasons past. 

Robert told manager Pedro Grifol that his goal was to play at least 150 games this season. Entering Wednesday’s game against the Cubs he is just 36 games away from his goal. His 114 games played also lead the team. 

Robert’s ability to stay on the field has resulted in a career year. His 32 home runs are the second most in the American League, while his 118 hits, .894 OPS, .568 slugging percentage, 75 runs scored, 66 RBIs and 16 stolen bases lead the team. 

“He’s very underrated and it’s really not fair to him,” White Sox starting pitcher Touki Toussaint said when asked about Robert. “He’s one of the best in the game.”

Going about your business the right way is a great way to set an example for your teammates. Take Tuesday night for example when he worked an eight-pitch at-bat that culminated in a 422-foot go-ahead home run that left his bat at 110 mph. That was the type of at-bat that can rejuvenate a locker room looking for a spark in a lost season. 

Sometimes actions speak louder than words. If Robert doesn't ever become a leader racking up Gold Glove Awards and home runs isn’t a bad consultation prize. You can have all the leaders you want in a locker room but at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter unless you have good baseball players. Robert certainly fits that category.