Daniel McGee Robert (born August 30, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Texas RangersofMajor League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2024.
| Daniel Robert | |
|---|---|
Robert with the Round Rock Express in 2022
| |
| Texas Rangers – No. 57 | |
| Relief pitcher | |
| Born: (1994-08-30) August 30, 1994 (age 29) Hoover, Alabama, U.S. | |
Bats: Left Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| July 10, 2024, for the Texas Rangers | |
| MLB statistics (through July 10, 2024) | |
| Win–loss record | 0–0 |
| Earned run average | 10.80 |
| Strikeouts | 2 |
| Teams | |
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Robert attended Briarwood Christian SchoolinBirmingham, Alabama.[1] In his sophomore season of 2011, Robert hit .556 with 10 home runs and 48 RBIs and was named the 2011 Birmingham News Metro Baseball Player of the Year.[2] Robert played receiver on the football team in high school.[3] Undrafted out of high school in 2013, Robert attended Auburn University and played college baseball for the Auburn Tigers.[4] At Auburn, Robert played mainly first base and outfield. He enjoyed his best season as a senior in 2017; hitting .290/.402/.429/.830 with 5 home runs and 45 RBI, while recording a 2.16 ERA over 6 appearances on the mound.[5][6] Robert was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 21st round of the 2017 MLB draft as a pitcher.[7]
Robert agreed to sign with Texas for a $5,000 signing bonus, but during his physical an MRI revealed a torn UCL.[8] Texas voided his contract and he underwent Tommy John surgery. After rehabbing for six months Robert attended an open tryout with Texas and was signed to a minor league contract in 2018.[8] He spent the remainder of the season in rehabilitation.[8] Robert split his professional debut season of 2019 between the Spokane Indians of the Class A Short Season Northwest League and the Hickory Crawdads of the Class A South Atlantic League, going 2–1 with a 0.99 ERA and 50 strikeouts over 36+1⁄3 innings.[8] He did not play in 2020 due to the cancellation of the Minor League Baseball season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Robert split the 2021 season between the ACL Rangers of the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League, Hickory, and the Frisco RoughRiders of the Double-A Central, going a combined 0–1 with a 2.78 ERA and 42 strikeouts over 22+2⁄3 innings.[9][10] Robert spent the 2022 season with the Round Rock Express of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League and struggled to a 4–4 record with a 6.28 ERA over 38+2⁄3 innings. He followed the 2022 season by appearing in eight games for the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League.[11] Robert received a non-roster invitation to major league spring training in 2023 and returned to Round Rock for the season, going 1–2 with a 4.40 with 51 strikeouts over 43 innings.[12]
Robert began the 2024 campaign with Round Rock, compiling a 2.35 ERA with 40 strikeouts and 5 saves across 25 appearances. On July 8, 2024, Robert was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[13]