A productive senior campaign (.282/.368/.486, eight home runs, nine stolen bases in 56 games) playing in USC’s outfield netted Robinson a 21^st-round selection from the Yankees this past June, and the 22-year-old’s first tour of pro ball has opened some eyes. The former California prep bat has posted a top-five ISO (.219) among active NYPL hitters and has supplemented it with some speed (6 SB). Robinson features a thick, stocky frame and muscular lower half and looked more physically developed than most players at the level. Employing a slight uppercut in his swing path, he generates natural loft and carry with backspin after contact, and in BP Robinson displayed some pop to his pull side and to left-center field, peppering the wall with hard line drives.

Robinson’s strongest asset is his raw power and hard contact, with both raw and in-game considered average right now, and his profile would project more as a 10 home run, 25 doubles-per-year guy overall. His swing begins with a slightly open stance, knees bent, weight on his back side and hands positioned neck-height. He initiates his load by bringing his weight back further on his right leg and employs two subtle toe touches before he plants his left heel. Robinson created good stretch in his hands and didn’t cast the barrel out in his swing. In fact, both of his hits in-game were against fastballs in on his hands, where he kept his hands inside the ball for hard liners to left center. This showed he has an ability to adjust his hands, shorten up in his swing path and to keep the barrel in the impact zone for an extended time in his motion.

Here is some video of Robinson, from my viewing on August 5th.

Though his plate discipline metrics aren’t particularly impressive at this point (0.36 BB/K and roughly league-average 11.0% unintentional walk rate), Robinson showed some selectivity at the plate in the contest, laying off of a handful of sliders and chase pitches in the dirt. There was some noticeable head movement in the swing on a few occasions, however, which, in conjunction with having all of his weight on the back side in his load, paints some doubt as to whether he will be able to adjust to off-speed pitches enough to make consistent contact in the future. Robinson will likely be tested against advanced secondary pitches once he reaches full-season ball.

Robinson flashed average overall speed on the bases, though he made the most of it by getting out of the box quickly and looking to take an extra base after contact. He hustled for a double in his first hit of the game, turning the corner aggressively. Robinson’s stocky, muscular build isn’t necessarily ideal for stealing bases, but he should steal 10-plus bases annually and his speed when underway, paired with his power profile and his above-average arm strength, should play fine in a corner-outfield spot down the road.