CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- What do you call it when a ballplayer hits a home run, makes a leaping catch at the wall and steals a couple bases in the same game?
"I'll work on it," White Sox closer Liam Hendriks said. "It's very unique to very few players in the league. That's something you can say of (Mike) Trout, I guess). He's done it enough."
That's what White Sox center fielder Luis Robert did in stealing the show in Chicago's 3-2 win against Seattle on Tuesday afternoon at Guaranteed Rate Field, dazzling a sellout crowd in the home opener on the South Side.
In the third inning, the 24-year-old Robert made a spectacular leaping catch at the center field wall. In the sixth inning, he crushed a 408-foot home run over that same wall. In the eighth inning, he walked, stole second base, stole third base and then scored on a fielder's choice, a run that proved to be pivotal insurance in a close win.
"He showed a lot of why he's so special," White Sox manager Tony La Russa said.
Robert posted a slash line of .338/.378/.567 over 296 plate appearances last season, mashing 13 home runs and driving in 43 runs. But he played in just 68 games while dealing with a torn hip flexor that he suffered in May. Robert is 6-for-16 to start this season and will be the White Sox's everyday center fielder, primarily slotting in the second spot of the batting order between leadoff man Tim Anderson and slugger Jose Abreu in the third spot.
White Sox general manager Rick Hahn once described Robert as "like the Under Armour mannequin came to life and started playing baseball." Robert signed a six-year, $50-million contract in early 2020 before ever playing in an MLB game, a deal that could be worth up to $88 million if the team options are exercised. The White Sox have believed he was a superstar in the making ever since signing him out of Cuba in 2017.
Billed as an American League MVP candidate this season, Robert simply needs to stay healthy, because his five-tool play is pretty clear.
"Watching him play is pretty awe-inspiring," Hendriks said.
"He's just one of the most talented people I've ever been around."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
