A Look Back at the Royals Top 31 Prospects: #21 Clint Robinson

Clint Robinson. Photos courtesy of Minda Haas

First baseman/DH Clint Robinson came in at number 21 on Baseball America‘s annual Top Prospects listing for the Kansas City Royals heading into the 2012 season. The lefty was finally called up to the big leagues in June during Interleague Play. That was after 105 career minor league homeruns. Unfortunately, he only received four pinch-hit opportunities before being sent back to Triple-A Omaha. He was not recalled when rosters expanded in September or when Omaha’s playoff season ended.

Click HERE to read him tell about finally getting called up.

Robinson is known for his offense and two-strike approach, as he struck out just 65 times in 487 minor league at-bats this season. He walked 79 times. He did however have his worst batting average (.292) since his first full season in 2008 and his worst power numbers (just 13 homeruns) since 2009 in Wilmington (which is a pitcher’s ballpark). Robinson was a Triple-A All-Star once again (second year in a row and third straight season of making an All-Star team).

Robinson is in a Billy Butler mold, as he made 13 errors in 102 games at first base this season. Not sure what the Royals are going to do with him, but he doesn’t have anything left to prove in the minors. Maybe they’ll use him as trade bait?

To hear Robinson talk about his approach with Butler and Eric Hosmer in front of him, click HERE.

Check out a few at-bats of Robinson from September of 2012: