Kristian Robinson

Position: OF
Level: Instructs
Affiliate: Diamondbacks Instructs
League: Instructional League
Born: 12/19/2000 (Age: 23)
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 190
B/T: Right / Right
Acquired: Signed as international free agent July 2, 2017 (ARI)

Prospect Spotlight

Signed for $2.55 million in 2017 out of the Bahamas, Robinson is a tooled-up outfielder with top-of-the-scale athleticism, still shy of his 18th birthday. Currently featuring in CF, I saw Robinson in limited action, one game in May at extended spring training and another October 8 in instructional league before he left with minor knee injury.

Robinson has elite bat speed and strong wrists, yielding plus raw power at present and as he continues to grow into his svelte 6’3″ frame, he projects to double-plus raw. There is some question on how much of that power he can tap in games, as Robinson’s hit tool is still a work in progress. He punishes fastballs and can make decent contact on average spin in the zone, but his hit-tool comes with noticeable swing-and-miss potential, exacerbated with a big cut when he’s looking to do damage, and there is not yet a clear two-strike approach. A plus runner underway, Robinson’s reads and routes are still raw but he closes  strong and uses his speed to make plays in centerfield. Ultimately, he projects to average at the position, likely settling with 55 speed with physical growth. His arm is still developing, fringy at present, but added growth should get it to average. There is LF risk present in the profile

Robinson’s power will play no matter where he is on the field. Even with a 40 hit tool, I expect to punish mistakes and use his strength to find 60 game power. There are similarities in the profile to Marlins CF Monte Harrison: big-time power that comes with swing-and-miss issues, value in CF, and the athleticism that gives him a high floor even if it doesn’t all come together.