Dodgers Reacquire Trayvon Robinson

Everything has come full circle for Trayvon Robinson. He will be returning to the Dodgers, and probably back to his old stomping grounds of Albuquerque. According to Matt Eddy of Baseball America, the Dodgers have reacquired former prospect outfielder Trayvon Robinson. The Dodgers have signed their former farm hand to a minor league deal. The 26-year-old outfielder was once very overrated as one of the top prospects in the Dodger’s system a few years ago during the McCourt era. The lack of impact prospects in the Dodger system at the time caused many people to overrate him despite some major flaws in his hitting and defense according to the scouting reports.

Robinson was involved in the three team trade that sent Tim Federowicz, pitcher Juan Rodriguez, and Stephen Fife to the Dodgers, and sent Robinson to the Seattle Mariners back in 2011. The deal also sent Erik Bedard to the Red Sox. Robinson struggled in limited playing time at the major league level with Seattle in 2011 and 2012. The Los Angeles native played in 44 games in 2011, and 46 games in 2012, posting batting averages of .210 (30 for 143), and .221 (32 for 145) respectively. Robinson has an MLB career line of .215/.272/.330 with five home runs, and a .602 OPS in 319 plate appearances in his two seasons with Seattle.

Seattle Mariners center fielder Trayvon Robinson (12) hits a solo home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the 3rd inning at Safeco Field.-Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Robinson was then traded to Baltimore in November of 2012 for infielder Robert Andino. Robinson split time between Baltimore’s triple-A affiliate the Norfolk Tide , and their double –A affiliate club Bowie in 2013. He hasn’t seen any major league action since the 2012 season when he was with Seattle.

Robinson’s numbers were probably fueled by Albuquerque’s high altitude and hitter friendly environment. Robinson is a career .277 hitter in the minors with a .779 OPS. The right handed hitting outfielder showed some tools, but struck out way too much, and showed little patience at the plate. Robinson whiffed 104 times in the majors while drawing only 22 walks. Robinson has spent most of his career in left field, but has some experience in center field.

Common sense would assume the Dodgers would put Robinson back in Albuquerque, where he first began his Major League path. Robinson was originally drafted by the Dodgers in the tenth round of the 2005 amateur draft.