Kristian Robinson - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Gets invite to MLB camp Robinson will be a non-roster invitee to major league spring training camp, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Impact Robinson had a full season of minor league ball in 2024, his first after missing significant development time from 2020 to 2023 due to COVID-19 and visa issues stemming from a police incident. Prior to that, the 24-year-old right-handed hitting outfielder was Arizona's top prospect. Robinson hit .213/.337/.343 with 10 home runs, 41 RBI and stole 10 bases for Double-A Amarillo last year. He also spent time in the Arizona Fall League, compiling an .854 OPS with nine steals over 19 games.

FEBRUARY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Assigned to minor-league camp Robinson was assigned to minor-league camp Thursday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Impact 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.

MARCH 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Clears waivers Robinson will remain in the Diamondbacks organization after clearing waivers Wednesday, Jesse Friedman of PHNXSports.com reports.

Impact 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.

AUGUST 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Designated for assignment The Diamondbacks designated Robinson for assignment Saturday.

Impact 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.

AUGUST 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Approaching 20 steals Robinson is 2-for-12 with one home run, two steals and five strikeouts in his first three games for High-A Hillsboro.

Impact Robinson had a .274/.394/.436 slash line with four home runs, 16 steals and a 31 percent strikeout rate in 32 games for Single-A Visalia. He split time between right field and left field while at Single-A and has already started once in all three outfield spots at High-A. Robinson is 22 and only has two minor-league option years remaining, so the Diamondbacks will push him quickly if he performs well.

JULY 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Off to quick start at Visalia 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.

Impact 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.

JUNE 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

D-backs' Robinson happy to be back on the field Last Friday, Kristian Robinson had to catch himself. He had just watched Single-A Visalia teammate Gavin Conticello launch a tank off rehabb...

JUNE 6, 2023 • MLB.COM

Legal issues cost D-Backs' Kristian Robinson four years, but now he's back Now back after an April 2020 arrest forced him to lose his work visa, Robinson is relishing an opportunity to play meaningful baseball.

JUNE 5, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Reinstated from restricted list Robinson was reinstated from the restricted list and optioned to Low-A Visalia by the Diamondbacks on Monday.

Impact Robinson hasn't played in any games 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 is also apparently not recovered from a recent hamstring injury. Robinson has been viewed as a top-100 prospect in the past and is still just 22, but he'll need to re-establish himself following all the missed time.

MAY 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Working back from hammy injury 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 organ...

Impact 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 after pleading guilty to felony assault charges stemming from an incident involving a law enforcement officer that occurred in April 2020. With his charges having since been 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.

MAY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Looks ready for minor-league action The Diamondbacks activated Robinson and reassigned him to the minor leagues Monday.

Impact 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 offer 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 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.

MAY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Legal saga expected to end soon 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 pro...

Impact 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. The now-22-year-old outfielder was able to return to the United States last spring 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.

APRIL 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Remains in limbo Robinson is no longer getting regular at-bats and innings in the field after extended spring training ended two weeks ago, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Impact Robinson was unable to join players at short-season affiliates following the end of extended spring training due to lingering legal issues that date back more than two years. The native of the Bahamas has been unable to secure a proper work visa that would allow him to play. There are two paths to getting back on the field in the minors. The first would be for Robinson's felony to be dropped to a misdemeanor, which is expected to occur when the 18-month probation, levied in August 2021, ends. That probation could be reduced, but it has not yet and there's no guarantee it will be. The second path is for him to gain U.S. citizenship. Since his felony assault charge with a law enforcement officer in April 2020, Robinson got married, applied for citizenship and is waiting on that process.

JUNE 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Still ensnared in legal issues Robinson is not yet a full participant in spring training due to lingering legal issues, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Impact 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.

MARCH 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Prospect Kristian Robinson a limited participant at Diamondbacks camp Diamondbacks prospect Kristian Robinson is back to work, albeit in a limited capacity as he sorts through legal issues.

MARCH 22, 2022 • AZCENTRAL.COM

Back in action 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.

Impact 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.

MARCH 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Shielded from Rule 5 draft Robinson (personal) had his contract selected by the Diamondbacks on Friday.

Impact 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.

NOVEMBER 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

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