Robinson (shoulder) was reinstated from the 7-day injured list by Double-A Amarillo on Tuesday, Sam Dykstra of MiLB.com reports.
The 23-year-old suffered a right shoulder sprain during spring training but is now ready to make his 2024 debut with Amarillo. Robinson had a brief stint with the affiliate to close last season but spent most of the campaign at Single-A Visalia, where he had a .945 OPS in 43 games.
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Diamondbacks' Kristian Robinson: Recovering from shoulder injury
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Diamondbacks farm director Shaun Larkin said Wednesday that Robinson won't be available for the start of the minor-league season after he suffered a sprained right shoulder following a collision with the outfield wall, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports. "He's close to getting back," Larkin said. "He's getting better day by day."
Larkin relayed that Robinson sustained the injury prior to the Diamondbacks' Spring Breakout game against the Rockies on March 16. Robinson doesn't sound like he's been shut down from baseball activities, so he could be available to make his season debut at some point in April. Once healthy, he'll likely to head back to Double-A Amarillo, with whom he played five games last season following lengthier stops at Single-A Visalia and High-A Hillsboro.
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Diamondbacks' Kristian Robinson: Assigned to minor-league camp
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Robinson was assigned to minor-league camp Thursday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
Robinson went 2-for-10 with a home run, three RBI and four walks while fanning five times. This is the first spring training since 2020 for Robinson, who dealt with legal and visa issues in between. An elevated strikeout rate after returning to action last May was the one blemish on his 2023 record. Robinson posted a .914 OPS and stole 23 bases in 65 combined games across four stops in the minors.
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Diamondbacks' Kristian Robinson: Goes yard Monday
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Robinson started in right field and went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run in Monday's spring game against Oakland.
Robinson clocked a no-doubter for his first home run in big-league camp. A highly rated prospect prior to the pandemic, Robinson returned to affiliated ball in 2023 following legal and visa issues that put a crimp in his development. Given the layoff from 2020 to 2022, he did well for himself, including a .914 OPS and 23 steals across four stops. The issue that lingers is Robinson's hit tool. What was already an elevated strikeout rate crept above 30 percent over his stints at Single-A, High-A and Double-A last season.
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Diamondbacks' Kristian Robinson: Clears waivers
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Robinson will remain in the Diamondbacks organization after clearing waivers Wednesday, Jesse Friedman of PHNXSports.com reports.
After signing with the Diamondbacks out of The Bahamas for $2.5 million in 2017, Robinson quickly emerged as one of the top lower-level prospects in all of baseball, but his career was put on hold for three full seasons while he dealt with legal issues related to an April 2020 arrest. He returned to affiliated ball in late May and slashed .276/.383/.460 over 45 games across stops in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League, Single-A Visalia and High-A Hillsboro, and while that level of production was impressive in light of his long layoff from baseball, it wasn't quite enough for the Diamondbacks to justify keeping him on the 40-man roster. Fortunately for the Diamondbacks, none of baseball's other 29 organizations were willing to put in a waiver claim for Robinson, so they'll retain the rights to the toolsy 22-year-old outfielder.
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Diamondbacks' Kristian Robinson: Designated for assignment
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The Diamondbacks designated Robinson for assignment Saturday.
Arizona selected Buddy Kennedy from Triple-A Reno on Saturday, so Robinson was cast off the 40-man roster to clear space for Kennedy. The 22-year-old outfielder has slashed .272/.387/.437 through 181 plate appearances between Single-A and High-A and still has a long way to go before being major-league ready.
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Diamondbacks' Kristian Robinson: Off to quick start at Visalia
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Robinson is 8-for-26 (.308) with a double, home run, two BRI, three runs and four steals through six games at Single-A Visalia.
The 22-year-old Robinson is playing organized baseball again after missing the last three-and-a-half years due to legal issues. He was a top 100 prospect back in 2019, and the Diamondbacks believe the pieces are still there, according to Sam Dykstra of MLB.com. Specifically, those pieces are raw power, above-average speed and a strong arm.
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Diamondbacks' Kristian Robinson: Ready for minor-league action
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Arizona reinstated Robinson (hamstring) from the restricted list Monday and optioned him to Single-A Visalia.
Robinson hasn't played in affiliated ball since 2019 after pleading guilty in August 2021 to assaulting a law officer in April 2020. He recently completed an 18-month probationary period without incident and has also apparently recovered from a recent hamstring injury that prompted the Diamondbacks to delay his activation a few weeks. Robinson had been viewed as a top-100 prospect in the past and is still just 22 years old, but he'll need to re-establish himself in the lower minors in light of the extensive time he missed over the last few seasons.
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Diamondbacks' Kristian Robinson: Working back from hammy injury
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Robinson, whom the Diamondbacks reinstated from the restricted list Monday after he secured a work visa that makes him eligible to play in games, is expected to remain at the organization's extended spring training camp for a little while longer after he recently picked up a hamstring injury, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports. "He is just about back to full go," farm director Josh Barfield said. "We want to make sure that he is in a good spot going out and feeling good. I would imagine it won't be too long before he is out."
Getting approval for the work visa was the final hurdle Robinson needed to clear to resume his professional career after he hadn't appeared in an official game since the 2019 season following his guilty plea to felony assault charges stemming from an April 2020 incident involving a law enforcement officer. With his charges since downgraded to a misdemeanor after he completed an 18-month probation sentence, Robinson, who has been able to participate in games on the back fields of Diamondbacks camp, now looks to be on the cusp of joining an affiliate once he's back to full speed. Though Robinson is now off the restricted list, the Diamondbacks still have to eventually clear a spot for him on the 40-man roster and will have 30 days to do so. The 22-year-old outfielder is expected to report to Single-A Visalia when the hamstring injury is fully behind him.
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Diamondbacks' Kristian Robinson: Looks ready for minor-league action
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The Diamondbacks activated Robinson from the restricted list and reassigned him to the minor leagues Monday.
Robinson was added to the Diamondbacks' 40-man roster in November 2021, but he was simultaneously placed on the restricted list because he was in the midst of serving an 18-month probationary sentence after he had been charged with assaulting a police officer in an incident that occurred in Arizona in April 2020. Because he's a native of The Bahamas and not a U.S. citizen, Robinson wasn't able to secure a work visa due to his legal situation and hasn't played in an official minor-league game since his arrest. He completed his probationary period and has been able to work out at the Diamondbacks' spring training facility since last spring, but his activation Monday now signals that Robinson has had his charges downgraded, has secured a work visa and is eligible to begin playing in minor-league games. The Diamondbacks haven't yet to assign the 22-year-old outfielder to an affiliate, but he'll presumably join Single-A Visalia or High-A Hillsboro whenever the organization feels he's ready to play.
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Diamondbacks' Kristian Robinson: Legal saga expected to end soon
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Robinson, who hasn't played in any minor-league games since 2019 after pleading guilty in August 2021 to assaulting a law officer in April 2020, recently completed his 18-month probationary period without incident and is expected to have his charges downgraded soon, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
Though the incident in question occurred in Arizona when he was 19 years old, Robinson -- who is a native of The Bahamas and not a U.S. citizen -- has been ineligible to play in official games because his legal situation has prevented him from securing a work visa. Now 22 years old, the outfielder was able to return to the United States last spring but has been limited to participating in unofficial games on the back fields at the Diamondbacks' spring training facility over the past year. Assuming that the charges are downgraded, Arizona farm director Josh Barfield said that Robinson will be able to secure a proper work visa or a green card, either of which would allow him to play in minor-league contests. Robinson is expected to report to Single-A Visalia whenever his legal situation is finally resolved.
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Diamondbacks' Kristian Robinson: Working out at camp
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Robinson remains on the restricted list due to legal problems but has been able to participate in workouts, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.
Robinson's legal issues, which caused him to miss the past two seasons, prevented him from getting a proper work visa that would allow to return to action. The Diamondbacks are hoping the lingering legal issues will work themselves out in the coming weeks. He was placed on an 18-month probation that began in August 2021.
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Diamondbacks' Kristian Robinson: Still ensnared in legal issues
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Robinson is not yet a full participant in spring training due to lingering legal issues, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.
Robinson can knock off all the rust built up after not playing since 2019 on the backfields with the minor leaguers, but the outfield prospect still has legal issues with which to contend. The 21-year-old, who pled guilty to a felony assault charge and was given 18 months of probation last August, is in the process of completing his probation. A source said he petitioned for early probation in hopes of getting the felony reduced to a misdemeanor. That is said to be necessary for him to secure a work visa. Without that work visa, Robinson is unable to participate in games in which there is a charge for attendance. The Diamondbacks are uncertain how this will play out for the prospect. He can continue to participate in extended spring training games after spring training is over, but general manager Mike Hazen is not sure what will happen if there is no resolution by the end of extended spring training.
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Diamondbacks' Kristian Robinson: Back in action
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Robinson's legal saga is behind him and he is working out on the backfields with the rest of the Diamondbacks' prospects, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic reports.
He completed his community service in November, which was part of his plea deal, so he is free and clear. The big question with Robinson is how much all the missed time will affect him as a hitter, as his hit tool was the biggest question about his game at the time of his legal trouble. The 21-year-old outfielder was added to the 40-man roster as protection from the Rule 5 draft. He hit .217/.294/.435 with a 29.4 K% in 25 games at Low-A in 2019 -- the last time we saw him in game action. His physical tools are immense, so if he can make contact at a solid clip this year at High-A, he will shoot back up lists.
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Diamondbacks' Kristian Robinson: Shielded from Rule 5 draft
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Robinson (personal) had his contract selected by the Diamondbacks on Friday.
Robinson was sentenced to 18 months probation in mid-August after he assaulted a police officer during an incident in April of 2020. While it's not yet clear when he'll be able to return to the field, he'll be protected from the upcoming Rule 5 draft.
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Diamondbacks' Kristian Robinson: Sentenced to probation
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Robinson was sentenced to 18 months probation Tuesday after being charged with assaulting a police officer during a mental breakdown back in April of 2020, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic reports.
In theory, the ruling makes it possible for Robinson to continue his career, but that's complicated by the fact that the Bahamian outfielder is not a citizen of the United States. He'll have a tough time getting a new visa with a felony charge to his name, and while completing his probation could reduce the felony to a misdemeanor, he can't remain in the country to complete the probation without a visa. It's not yet clear how the situation will be resolved, so while Tuesday's ruling means he's not facing any prison time, his future remains murky.
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Diamondbacks' Kristian Robinson: Potential resolution
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Plans are underway for Robinson (personal) to secure a special visa that would allow him to appear at a status conference hearing set for July 29, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.
Robinson is currently barred from re-entering the United States pending a legal matter. His attorney is working to reduce the charges faced to a misdemeanor. It's unclear if the change in plea will impact Robinson's visa status, or if he will receive the type of visa that would permit him to work while in the U.S. The minor-league baseball season ends in mid-September, and Robinson is hopeful to salvage a portion of 2021.
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Diamondbacks' Kristian Robinson: Joins 60-man player pool
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Robinson was added to the Diamondbacks' 60-man player pool Thursday, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic reports.
He was initially left out of the pool as he was unable to travel back from his home country (The Bahamas) during the pandemic. However, as the team's top prospect, he was going to be included if he were able to make it stateside, which apparently is the case. Robinson has worked diligently this offseason to maintain his athleticism and keep his frame lean, rather than bulking up. This is a big positive for his development, as some evaluators thought that his strong 6-foot-3 frame would eventually slide down the defensive spectrum as he matured. While he is now working at the team's alternate training site, Robinson is unlikely to reach the majors until 2022 or 2023.
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Diamondbacks' Kristian Robinson: Left off 60-man roster
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Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen confirmed Monday that Robinson wasn't included on the club's 60-man roster pool, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
The 19-year-old Robinson is the organization's top prospect, but since he hasn't played above the Low-A level, his exclusion from the player pool doesn't come as a major surprise. As Piecoro notes, because Robinson wasn't able to travel back to his home country (The Bahamas) when MLB shut down its season in mid-March, he's allowed to continue working out at the Diamondbacks' spring training facility when the season resumes in late July. While the likelihood that he won't play in any minor-league games is a less-than-ideal outcome for Robinson, taking part in regular workouts under the Diamondbacks' supervision should help keep his development relatively on track.
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Diamondbacks' Kristian Robinson: Promoted to Low-A
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Robinson was promoted to Low-A Kane County on Saturday.
This should be a nice test for Robinson, who destroyed Northwest League pitching to the tune of a .319/.407/.558 slash line with nine home runs (.239 ISO) and 14 steals in 44 games. Very few prospects can match his combination of mammoth raw power and plus speed.
