Luis Robert Moirán Jr., a Cuban-born professional baseball player, has been carving his path in the field of Major League Baseball (MLB) ever since he made his debut in 2020. Luis Robert, born August 3, 1997, wears multiple accolades on his sleeve, but what stands out is his 2023 All-Star nomination. This deep-dive bio will unravel his journey from his early career in Cuba to his current stint with the Chicago White Sox.
Back in 2013, a young Luis Robert began his career playing in the Cuban National Series for Ciego de Ávila, a period that spanned until 2015. His ambition pushed him to dream bigger, leading to his defection from Cuba in November 2016, with a determined intention to pursue a baseball career in MLB.
Once in the United States, Luis Robert waited on the benches till April 20, 2017, when he finally became a free agent. Yet, an official signing with a major league club could only take place starting May 20. It was not until May 27 that he signed a contract with the Chicago White Sox, which included a whopping $26-million signing bonus.
Upon signing, Luis Robert showcased his talents by playing 28 games with the Dominican Summer League (DSL) White Sox. His finesse with batting was evident, garnering a .310 batting average with three home runs, 14 runs batted in (RBIs), 22 walks, and 12 stolen bases.
2018 marked an impactful year for Luis Robert as he made his first start at outfield in a spring training game. An excellent hit of a two-out, go-ahead grand slam in the eighth inning marked a victory for the White Sox over the Cincinnati Reds. Unfortunately, the good run was halted by a ligament sprain in his left thumb, placing him on the injured list for two months.
Robert bounced back in 2019, starting with the Winston-Salem Dash and eventually getting promoted to the Birmingham Barons in April. The highlight of his career was his entry to the 2019 All-Star Futures Game. His debut with the Class AAA Charlotte Knights saw him hitting two home runs leading to seven RBIs.
Luis Robert’s year was far from over. He earned the rare achievement of joining the 30/30 club after hitting 30 home runs and stealing 36 bases during the season. His superb performance in 2019 took him to the pinnacle, scoring 108 runs, which led to the second-most in the minor leagues. He also led the minor leagues with 165 hits.
The year 2020 brought a new high to Luis Robert’s career. The Chicago White Sox handed him a six-year, $50 million contract before he officially appeared in a major league game. His first significant game play was not too far. Luis made his MLB debut in July 2020, and his performance was marked by his first MLB home run.
Throughout August 2020, Robert displayed an impressive record of .298/.356/.660, including seven doubles, nine home runs, 20 RBIs, and three stolen bases over 26 games. This prowess saw him receive the American League (AL) Rookie of the Month Award. In the postseason, his 487-foot home run – which was the longest in White Sox history – was marked against the Oakland Athletics. Moreover, he earned a Gold Glove Award for center field and was a close second in balloting for the AL Rookie of the Year Award.
2021 was not as smooth. Luis suffered a complete tear of his right hip flexor, which led to a three-to-four-month rehabilitation period. However, he made a strong comeback and proved his mettle by hitting .338 with 13 home runs and 43 RBIs in 68 games.
Luis Robert’s first career grand slam took place in a game against the Minnesota Twins in 2022. Yet, the year end witnessed Robert placed on the injured list due to a sprained left wrist leaving him unable to play for the season. Nonetheless, Robert managed to appear in 98 games where he hit 12 home runs and garnered 56 RBIs while batting .284/.319/.426.
Luis’s journey took an interesting turn in 2023 when he announced that he would officially bear the “Jr.” suffix in his name. The same year marked him winning the American League Player of the Week Award and being named to his first-ever All-Star Game. Although he withdrew from the All-Star Game due to a calf injury, his overall performance earned him a Silver Slugger Award and the 12th place in MVP voting.
Aside from his impressive professional roster, Luis also had quite a run in the international arena. He represented the Cuban national team in the 2015 18U Baseball World Cup and during a goodwill tour in the Can-Am League of independent baseball in 2016.
In 2023, he represented Cuba in the World Baseball Classic, making history alongside White Sox teammate Yoán Moncada as the first active MLB players to play for Cuba after defecting. He described the situation as “a little strange” but nevertheless delivered a commendable performance batting .259/.286/.296, with seven hits and eight strikeouts in 27 at-bats.
In summary, Luis Robert Moirán Jr.’s baseball journey has been one of ambition, persistence, and remarkable accomplishments that authenticates his mettle amidst challenges. Starting as a young baseball enthusiast in Cuba to becoming an acclaimed MLB player, Luis keeps proving his potential relentlessly in the world of baseball.