The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

KRISTIAN Robinson’s path to a possible return to the field just became a bit clearer for the 2022 season. The Arizona Diamondbacks added Robinson to their 40-man roster and he will be protected from selection in next month’s Rule 5 Draft.

For international players signed in the 2017 class, they became Rule 5 Draft eligible this year. Teams also set their Triple-A rosters and any players not protected or named to either roster are eligible for their respective portion of the Rule 5 Draft. Unprotected players are eligible to be taken by the other 29 teams when the draft takes place at the conclusion of the Winter Meetings. The Rule 5 Draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to have them play in the majors.

Off the field issues sidelined Robinson in 2020. Ranked No.2 in the Diamondbacks organisation, Robinson was arrested on April 5, 2020 and charged with aggravated assault of a peace officer in Arizona, according to the Associated Press.

According to The Athletic, he completed his community service obligations as a part of his plea deal.

The 20-year-old outfielder said in a statement that he was struggling with mental health issues at the time. “Like so many, last year I was struggling to manage the stress of my personal life, the shutdown of the game I love and the overall global pandemic,” Robinson said in a statement.

“While struggling with my mental health I acted out of character and I was involved in an incident that I take full responsibility for. I would like to apologise to Trooper Lough and to my family, teammates, coaches and the D-backs organisation, who I am extremely grateful to for supporting me through this very difficult situation.”

Robinson began the 2019 season at the Class A - Short Season level with the Hillsboro Hops.

In 44 games with the Hops, he hit .319 with 52 hits, 10 doubles, scored 29 runs, 35 RBI, nine home runs, an OBP of .407, OPS of .966, and slugging .558 with 14 stolen bases.