(670 The Score) While White Sox center fielder Luis Robert isn't quite 100% physically after returning recently from a serious hip injury, he's certainly performing at an elite level.
Robert's three-hit, two-RBI night in Chicago's 3-2 win against Oakland on Wednesday night was the latest showing of his strong play. Entering play Thursday, he was 12-of-28 with a 1.163 OPS since returning on Aug. 9 from a torn right hip flexor.
"I remember Frank Thomas telling me when I was trying to get familiar with the roster last winter that Robert was a six-tool player," manager Tony La Russa said. "I had never heard that before. The max was always five tools. What is his ceiling? As high as possible. Whether it's baserunning, hitting, power or defense, his talent is at the top of every tool. So it's really going to depend a lot on health. From what I have seen by his work ethic and intelligence, he is making adjustments at the plate that are uncommon."
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The aforementioned health seems to be all that can slow Robert down these days. And it's an issue that's still on his mind, as the White Sox training staff has Robert working on strengthening the lower half of his body in order to give the muscle group in the hip area better support.
"I go to the gym every day in order to keep that area strong," Robert said. "That is something I probably did not do before. I had never thought about it before I got hurt. Now it's a main focus of my daily preparation."
Robert, 24, admitted he still has some trepidation regarding a reinjury. He suffered his hip injury while sprinting to first base in early May, then missed the next three months. He's still playing hard but is mindful of when be might need to ease up on the diamond.
"The fear is still there," Robert said. "As the baseball gods have their way, I try and not think about it. But some fear is still there. With more time and more games, it will be easier. I am not thinking about that when I play. I just need to keep playing and try to get rid of that thought.
"Before the injury, I was playing 100% without abandon. Now I am being more conservative. I want to play hard, but I want to play smarter as well. I just need to pick and choose how I go until my body is 100%."
Robert took a tumble in the outfield Wednesday, tripping over his own cleats while trying to make a catch on a sinking line drive. He came out of the play no worse for the wear and was batting second as the White Sox hosted the Athletics in their series finale at Guaranteed Rate Field on Thursday afternoon. It was the first time Robert had hit in that spot in the lineup since he returned.
"I am an aggressive player, and I am sure that is why the injury happened," Robert said of the hip injury suffered in May. "Maybe another reason why it happened is that my body wasn't as strong as I thought. There could have been a bunch of things that went wrong in that moment. We have a good plan now, and I work hard at it."
La Russa has obviously been pleased with the way Robert has performed since returning and had some fun with his response when he was asked whom he'd compare Robert's skill set to.
"I have never put a label on a young guy – (comparing) that would be unfair," La Russa said. "So I am really struggling to answer that question. But I will say Ken Griffey Jr. Please pretend I didn't mention it."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
