Saturday, the Rattler stalwart changed scales, becoming an
Arizona Diamondback when the Major League franchise selected the Ocala, Florida
native in the 28th round of the June draft.
Robinson, who shattered numerous regular season records in
the FAMU Baseball record book this season, ranked near the top in virtually all
offensive categories in the MEAC, and finished in the mix in NCAA Division One
statistically as well.
The 6-3 slugger hit a robust .390 in 52 games this past season, rapping out league highs in hits (83) and doubles (15); ranked second in average and total bases (116); and was in the Top Ten in RBIs (42) and home runs (6).
His singular play was an integral part of the Rattlers’ resurgence on the diamond in 2014, under first-year Head Coach Jamey Shouppe, as FAMU posted a 26-26 overall mark, the most wins for the program since 2003, to go with a 14-10 conference record and a share of the school’s first division title since 1997.
“I’m just blessed,” the classy Robinson said Saturday
evening in reaction to his being drafted by Arizona. “I am truly thankful to be
selected, and thankful to everyone who helped me along the way – my family, my
coaches and my teammates.”
Robinson, who displayed his versatility this season, by
playing first base, outfield, and lining up at times as the team’s designated
hitter, said he sensed that the stars were aligning in his favor as far as a
future in pro ball around the middle of the 2014 season.
“I hit .400 pretty much the whole year,” Robinson recounted,
“but by the middle of the year, more scouts started showing up at games and
practices. And as the team kept rolling, things got better for me too, like
getting named conference MVP, then getting invited to some pre-draft workouts.”
Robinson said.
The immediate plans for Robinson are to fly out to Arizona
next week for a complete physical, followed by assignment to a team in the
Diamondbacks’ organization.
Robinson is the first Rattler to be taken in the Major
League draft since Derrick Shaw was taken in the 2010 Draft by the San Diego
Padres.