Since this is the mid-season write-up, it's just a quick overview of the player. When we get to the preseason re ranking in the offseason, they'll be a lot more involved.
All stats are current as of 8/4/2019.
All write-ups were published during all-star week.
Prospect #33: UTIL Kramer Robertson
Memphis Redbirds
Drafted in the 4th round of the 2017 draft
Age 24
There might not be a prospect in the organization that does more with less than Kramer Robertson. That's not to take away from how athletic Robertson is, but rather to complement him for being as hard of a worker and as talented of an athlete as he is. I'd also like to compliment Robertson on making such huge strides in one offseason. We did start to see Robertson taking better at-bats while driving the ball more in August of 2018, but he's a different player now than he was even then.
Truth be told, I don't think I understand how Robertson hits home runs. He reminds me, physically, of David Eckstein. More than likely, that will be his power-profile at the next level, too. While he doesn't do it with strength exactly, he creates slug through an understand of the strike zone and selectivity at the plate. Robertson has the uncanny ability of never chasing a bad breaking pitch. He works counts and gets himself into a position to hunt for a fastball. He's especially effective against the fastball-in.
This has been his hitting anchor this season, and it's the reason why he has had the success that he has had at the highest levels of the minors. That, and there is no wasted movement in his swing. His hands are quick and direct, constantly finding the barrel. He does dip his head a bit, although that's gotten a lot less frequent since this time last year. Actually, the more that I think about it, there really is a lot in his offensive profile that reminds me of a poor man's David Eckstein.
Robertson is a good base runner with ample speed to steal a base or two, but where his speed and athleticism really shine is in the field. Robertson can get to everything that he needs to. He gets good reads and great jumps, and he's instinctual on the infield. I haven't seen him much at second, but there isn't a ball that a short stop should get to that Robertson can't get too. He has some flash in his game, as well, and he'll lay out to make the catch or to prevent extra bases. The issue with Robertson is his arm. It appears to be MUCH stronger than it was on draft night/day, but it still isn't strong enough to make all of the throws at the next level. If he can't plant and throw then he's not going to be able to get outs on the closer plays. Again, Eckstein-esque.
The first two prospects on this list are shining beacons of prospect-progression-light as compared to some of the other stuff that has happened within the organization this year. They both have taken a step forward in their development while others have faltered. It's been great to see Robertson take advantage of some injuries ahead of him on the depth chart. While I don't see much more than a league average utility-infielder type player in his future, and as a ceiling, I do know that he's the type of player and kid that will do everything possible to maximize his talents, skill-set, and effectiveness.
Thanks to Fangraph for the stats!
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