In the bottom of the third on a 2-2 count to Grambling State leftfielder Dion Holbrook, Jared Poche’ delivered the pitch, and freshman Kramer Robertson took off from his position at second base, sliding into foul territory near the bullpen with his arm outstretched.
He made the catch. His first defensive web gem back in 2014 landed at the No. 5 spot on the Sunday night episode of SportsCenter.
“I’m going to have a famous roommate for a while,” Robertson’s roommate, Jake Fraley laughed after seeing the highlight.
Earlier that day, Robertson found out through a text message from his mother that she heard on the television broadcast the night before that he would be making not only his collegiate debut but also his first career start in the Purple and Gold.
The freshman wedged his way into the starting lineup after continuing to make dazzling defensive plays. He made 30 starts at second base in 2014, which positioned Robertson to hold a starting job during his sophomore campaign. However, offensive struggles and an elbow injury hindered the 5-foot-10 infielder from holding onto his spot at second base in 2015.
Unable to travel to the College World Series with the team due to his injury, Robertson had his sights set on coming into 2016 showing that he had what it took to become a reliable, consistent everyday player.
Robertson explained, “Coming out of high school, you just don’t realize how difficult college baseball is. You’re playing four or five games a week against the best players in the country. Every day that you come out here, you have to bring your ‘A-game,’ or you’re going to be humbled. I learned that quickly.”
Robertson is more than ready for the transition after spending two summers in the prestigious Cape Cod League, where he batted .310 and made the All-Star game in 2015.
The key to his success over those two summers and during the fall practice period was his demeanor and learning how to play poised under pressure.
“I’ve always been pressuring myself since I started playing sports as a young kid. It’s nothing new. I just put a little too much pressure on myself when I struggle,” Robertson said.
Consistency is critical for the junior. After tinkering with his swing and figuring out his offensive niche with the help of hitting coach Andy Cannizaro, Robertson is going to be counted on to provide key at-bats, and he knows he has something to prove.
Robertson explained, “I definitely play with a chip on my shoulder. I try not to listen to outside voices and what people say about me, but I’d be lying to you if I told you it didn’t motivate me a little bit.”
Always striving to improve, the junior has quickly turned into one of the veteran leaders of the squad, constantly giving it his all and allowing his teammates to build trust in him.
“Whatever situation the game brings, you know he’s going to get the job done for the team,” Fraley explained. “It’s not going to be for himself. You can count on him with whatever Coach asks of him or what we ask of him as teammates whenever we are on or off of the field.”
He’s waited his turn to be counted on, sticking through all of the trials and tribulations to have an opportunity this season to show his battle scars and his work ethic.
“I’m ready to have a breakout year offensively,” Robertson added.
The junior had already doubled his extra base hits from his sophomore campaign in the first two weekends of the 2016 season and is starting to find that offensive consistency that he has been searching for over the past two seasons, which has allowed him to settle in and become a veteran leader.
“Baseball will make you grow as a person off of the field,” Robertson said. “It helps you to become more even-keeled, never too high, never too low. I’ve waited my turn, and I’ve gone through the struggles to finally be out here every day and have the opportunity to do something special for this program.”