Photo: Eric Canha/USA TODAY Sports

Need for Speed: Luis Robert Jr. Plans to Steal More Bases in 2024

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Tony Marchese | Last updated 3/6/24

Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. had quite the breakout season in 2023. In his age-25 season, the Cuban slugger slashed an impressive .264/.315/.542, made his first career All-Star Game appearance, captured a Silver Slugger Award, and finished 12th in AL MVP voting. Not bad for the once highly touted international prospect.

While he's primarily known for his bat and flashy defensive plays in center field, Robert Jr.'s game has always featured plus speed. Those wheels were on display last season as evidenced by his career-high 20 stolen bases.

Robert Jr. believes swiping 20 bags may only be the tip of the iceberg. In an interview with MLB Network on Monday, La Pantera laid out his plans for the 2024 season.

"This year I want to be able to steal more bases and be better in that aspect of the game."

Luis Robert Jr. stole 20 bases last season, but the @whitesox speedster plans on swiping even more bags in 2024 pic.twitter.com/9uzGsL5tSN
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) March 5, 2024

The White Sox star's focus was on health during the 2023 campaign. To his credit, availability was a previous question mark in his game. Before the 2023 season, Robert Jr. had never appeared in more than 98 games in a single season. While we'll never know what the 2020 White Sox season may have looked like if it weren't for COVID-19 (his rookie season), the young slugger has battled multiple injuries that have kept his talents from being on full display.

A renewed focus on speed could easily turn Robert Jr. into a true 30-30 threat, especially given the fact he hit 38 home runs in 2023 and finished just 10 stolen bases short of that milestone mark. Entering 2024, he'll need to build on what he did in 2023 and, most importantly, stay healthy.

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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