Daniel Robertson

Coming off a productive 2018 campaign, Robertson was developing into the prototypical Tampa player -- solid offensively with the ability to play all over the diamond. He was afforded the opportunity to contribute right away with several injuries clearing early playing time. Unfortunately, Robertson failed to take advantage and was sent to Triple-A Durham in mid-June after posting a punchless .205/.310/.284 line. More injuries forced a return a couple days after, then Robertson himself was placed on the IL with knee inflammation. He was activated July 30 and immediately sent back to the Bulls where he toiled until MLB roster expansion. While it didn't salvage his season, Robertson recorded a more respectable .702 OPS down the stretch. Robertson's flexibility will give him a chance to win a bench job, but he has one option left and the Rays have others vying for a roster spot.

If you want a sleeper breakout for 2019, this may be your guy. The numbers do not clearly spell a third-year breakout is coming, but there are signs of it. He spent all of last year talking about reworking his swing to get more loft, and the work he put in manifested itself in the form of a 33-point jump in ISO and an 89-point jump in slugging percentage. We add that to a 74-point jump in his on-base percentage and we suddenly have a rather nice sleeper heading into his third major-league season at age 25. He finished the season 27% better than league average offensively and qualifies at second base and shortstop on draft day in 20-game leagues as well as third base if your league uses under 20 game to qualify. Versatility leads to increased playing time, and the club loves his glove and improving bat. Buy the skills on draft day rather than the role and hope the thumb issue that cut his 2018 short is fully behind him.

Robertson was used at three infield spots with the Rays last season, and he qualifies at both middle-infield positions entering 2018 as a result. The former A's prospect struck out frequently in his big-league debut (28.7 percent), but whiffs were rarely an issue for him as he moved through the minors. On a positive note, he continued to show patience, which made his lack of hard contact more palatable. The knock on Robertson is that he has been unable to provide power since getting promoted past High-A, and the 15 homers he swatted in the California League appear to be the byproduct of hitter-friendly environments. As per usual, the Rays have a lengthy list of infielders vying for roster spots to begin the spring, and Robertson's status as a player with minor-league options remaining likely hurts his chances of making the cut for Opening Day. Even if he's sent down to Triple-A to start the season, Robertson figures to be among the first callups when the need for infield depth arises.

Despite tallying 29 extra-base hits in both of the last two seasons at Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham, respectively, Robertson underwhelmed on the whole with only nine homers over a combined 858 plate appearances. His wRC+ went from 123 at Double-A to 110 while facing higher-caliber competition at Triple-A last season. His ability to play three infield positions (second base, third base and shortstop) will allow him to offer some value for the Rays in the coming years, but without notable power or speed, he does not project to be of much use in fantasy. He doesn't even safely project to at least hit for a high, yet empty batting average anymore. Robertson's placement on the 40-man roster ensures that the Rays will give him a shot, perhaps early on this season, but expectations should be low when he does get the call.

Robertson is the type of prospect who often gets overlooked in dynasty leagues. He has the ability to be a .280/.360/.430 hitter with 10-15 home runs annually in the big leagues, and considering he is still being developed as a shortstop, that could be quite a valuable package, especially if he bats leadoff. Of course, if he moves off shortstop to second base, or worst yet, third base, that stat line is a lot less intriguing. Many believe he is not quite good enough to stick at shortstop, but considering the options in the Rays’ system, he should at least get an audition there in a year or two. Last year a broken hand limited him to 78 games at Double-A Montgomery, where he slashed .274/.363/.415 with a 9.5 percent walk rate and 16.7 percent K-rate as a 21-year-old. He should spend most of 2016 at Triple-A, with a chance to earn a late-season callup.

Robertson had a very nice year at High-A Stockton in 2014, hitting .310 with 15 home runs over 548 at-bats. He displayed gap power and walked nearly as much as he struck out (72 walks and 94 strikeouts). Traded to Tampa Bay in January, Robertson could be the Rays' shortstop of the future and he has a chance to reach the majors by 2016, although he may face long-term competition from Hak-Ju Lee. There are some questions about his range at shortstop, but Robertson should be able to hold his own at the position at least in the upper levels of the minors. Regardless of where he eventually plays defensively, his bat should be steady enough to make him a regular in the lineup. Robertson will likely begin the season as the starting shortstop in Double-A, with the possibility of earning a promotion to Triple-A as the season progresses.

Robertson was selected by the A's as the 34th overall pick in the 2012 draft. He spent the 2013 season at Low-A Beloit where he hit .277 and got on base at a .353 clip in 101 games. Robertson currently profiles as a gap power hitter, but at only 19, he could develop more power as he matures. He played shortstop for all of 2013, but the A's may eventually move him to third base with the thought that Addison Russell is likely the shortstop of the future for the team. As long as Robertson is a teammate of Renato Nunez in the A's system, he'll likely remain at shortstop to increase his organizational value as a potential trade chip.

The A's drafted Robertson 34th overall in the 2012 draft. Robertson played 55 games in the minors after signing his contract and did not do much on offense. Robertson is only 18 and clearly is a long-term project. Robertson projects as a third baseman with a huge arm (reportedly throwing in the low-90s), but lacking enough range to stick at shortstop. Scouting reports indicate that he has a great eye with a short, compact swing. Robertson will likely begin the year at Low-A with his first full season as a professional.