Daniel Ray Robertson (born March 22, 1994) is an American professional

baseball Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each, taking turns batting and fielding. The game occurs over the course of several plays, with each play generally beginning when a player on the fielding t ...

infielder who is a free agent. He was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the first round of the

2012 Major League Baseball draft The 2012 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft was held from June 4 through June 6, 2012, from Studio 42 of the MLB Network in Secaucus, New Jersey. The Houston Astros, with the List of first overall Major League Baseball draft picks, first ...

. He made his

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), ...

(MLB) debut with the

Tampa Bay Rays The Tampa Bay Rays are an American professional baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Since its inception, the team's home v ...

in 2017 and has also played for the

San Francisco Giants The San Francisco Giants are an American professional baseball team based in San Francisco, California. The Giants compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1883 as the New Y ...

, Minnesota Twins and Milwaukee Brewers.

Early life

Robertson attended

Upland High School Upland High School is a four-year public high school located in the city of Upland, California. The school was established in 1955 as part of the Chaffey Joint Union High School District, and since 1988 it has been a member of the Upland Unifie ...

Upland, California Upland is a city in San Bernardino County, California, United States on the border with neighboring Los Angeles County. The municipality is located at an elevation of 1,242 feet (379 m). As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 79,040 ...

. He batted .380 as a sophomore in 2010, with two home runs, 11 doubles, 33

runs batted in A run batted in (RBI; plural RBIs ) is a statistic in baseball and softball that credits a batter for making a play that allows a run to be scored (except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play). For example, if the ba ...

(RBIs) and 24 runs. He batted .545 as a junior in 2011, with six home runs, eight doubles, 22 RBIs, and 21 runs, and was named first-team All-

Baseline League The Baseline League is a high school athletic conference that is part of the CIF Southern Section. Members are located in San Bernardino County, with Damien and St. Lucy's located in Los Angeles County. The Baseline League was formed in 1979, wit ...

. As a senior, he hit .560 with six home runs and 41 RBIs. He was the Baseline League MVP and the All-

California Interscholastic Federation The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) is the governing body for high school sports in the U.S. state of California. CIF membership includes both public and private high schools. Unlike most other state organizations, it does not have a ...

-SS. He committed to play

college baseball College baseball is baseball that is played on the intercollegiate level at institutions of higher education. In comparison to football and basketball, college competition in the United States plays a smaller role in developing professional p ...

UCLA The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a public land-grant research university in Los Angeles, California. UCLA's academic roots were established in 1881 as a teachers college then known as the southern branch of the California ...

Professional career

Oakland Athletics

Robertson was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the first round with the 34th overall selection of the

. He made his professional debut that season for the

Arizona League Athletics The Arizona Complex League Athletics are a Minor League Baseball team based in Phoenix, Arizona, which plays as a Rookie-level team in the Arizona Complex League and has served as a farm team for the Oakland Athletics organization since 1988. T ...

and also played for the

Vermont Lake Monsters The Vermont Lake Monsters are a collegiate summer baseball team located in Burlington, Vermont. From 1994 to 2020, they were members of Minor League Baseball's New York–Penn League (NYPL). They play their home games at Centennial Field, on ...

that season. He finished the year at .241/.330/.400 with five home runs and 30 RBIs over 55 games. In 2013, he played for the Beloit Snappers. In 101 games, Robertson hit .277/.353/.401 with nine home runs and 46 RBIs. He was named an MILB.Com Organization All-Star. Robertson played for the Stockton Ports in 2014 where he batted .310/.402/.471 with 15 home runs and 60 RBIs in 132 games, as he led the California League in hits (170) and doubles (37), was second in the league in runs (110) and hit by pitch (16), and was sixth in walks (72). He was named an MILB.Com Organization All-Star. He played in the AFL for Mesa in 2014, batting .301/.398/.356, and was named a Rising Star, All-Prospect Team, and Player of the Week on October 28.

Tampa Bay Rays (2017–2019)

On January 10, 2015, Robertson was traded to the

with

John Jaso John Edward Jaso (; born September 19, 1983) is an American former professional baseball first baseman. Jaso mostly served as a designated hitter and catcher throughout his career, but had to stop catching due to concussion issues. He played in Ma ...

and

Boog Powell John Wesley "Boog" Powell (born August 17, 1941) is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a first baseman and left fielder from through , most prominently as a member of the Baltimore Orioles dyna ...

in exchange for

Yunel Escobar Yunel Escobar Almenares (born November 2, 1982) is a Cuban-born American former professional baseball shortstop and third baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves, Toronto Blue Jays, Tampa Bay Rays, Washington Na ...

and

Ben Zobrist Benjamin Thomas Zobrist (; born May 26, 1981), is an American former professional baseball second baseman and outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays/Rays, Oakland Athletics, Kansas City Royals, and Chi ...

. He attended major league spring training in 2015. In 2015 he played for the

Montgomery Biscuits The Montgomery Biscuits are a Minor League Baseball team based in Montgomery, Alabama. They are the Double-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays and play in the Southern League. The team was founded in Orlando, Florida, in 1973 as the Orlando Twins ...

where he batted .274/.363/.415 with four home runs and 41 RBIs in 78 games, and was named an MILB.Com Organization All-Star. In 2016 he played with the

Durham Bulls The Durham Bulls are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. They are located in Durham, North Carolina, and play their home games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, which opened ...

where he hit .259/.358/.356 with five home runs and 43 RBIs in 118 games. The Rays added Robertson to their 40-man roster after the 2016 season.

2017 season

Robertson made the Rays' opening day roster out of spring training. Rays manager

Kevin Cash Kevin Forrest Cash (born December 6, 1977) is an American professional baseball manager and former player who is the manager of the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB). Previously, Cash played catcher in MLB for the Toronto Blue Jays, ...

said that he was chosen due to his defensive capabilities, specifically at shortstop. On June 27, Robertson was optioned down to AAA Durham to make a place for newly acquired shortstop

Adeiny Hechavarria Adeiny Hechavarría Barrera (born April 15, 1989) is a Cuban professional baseball shortstop for the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays, Miami Marlin ...

, but his option was voided and he was placed on the 10-Day DL with neck spasms. He was slashing .224/.314/.365 with 5 home runs in 58 games. On August 4, Robertson was activated off the DL He finished the year hitting .206/.308/.326 in 76 games, playing predominantly at second base (41 games), but also seeing 24 games at

shortstop Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball or softball fielding position between second and third base, which is considered to be among the most demanding defensive positions. Historically the position was assigned to defensive specialists wh ...

, 17 games at

third base A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball or softball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run. In the scoring system us ...

, and one game in

left field In baseball, a left fielder, abbreviated LF, is an outfielder who plays defense in left field. Left field is the area of the outfield to the left of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound. In the numbering system ...

2018 season

Robertson started as the opening day second basemen with the plan to

platoon A platoon is a military unit typically composed of two or more squads, sections, or patrols. Platoon organization varies depending on the country and the branch, but a platoon can be composed of 50 people, although specific platoons may rang ...

with Brad Miller and Joey Wendle throughout the season. On April 22, he recorded his first career four-hit game. On June 25, Robertson made his first career start in left field in order for him and Joey Wendle to receive more playing time. On July 9, he hit his first career walk-off, a single, against Blaine Hardy of the Detroit Tigers in a 10–9 victory. On July 22, Robertson hit another walk-off, this time a

grand slam Grand Slam most often refers to: * Grand Slam (tennis), one player or pair winning all four major annual tournaments, or the tournaments themselves Grand Slam or Grand slam may also refer to: Games and sports * Grand slam, winning category te ...

, in a 6–4 win off of Kyle Barraclough of the Miami Marlins. This was the first walk-off grand slam in franchise history. Ninety minutes after the end of the game, Robertson made a surprise visit to a hospitalized teen. Robertson was moved by the experience, stating “Just to see the excitement and joy on his face when I walked in that room, it’s honestly something I’ll never forget." On August 3, Robertson slid hard into second base, jamming his thumb in the process. He was forced to exit the game and undergo a series of

MRI Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a medical imaging technique used in radiology to form pictures of the anatomy and the physiological processes of the body. MRI scanners use strong magnetic fields, magnetic field gradients, and radio waves ...

s, which determined that he would need to go on the disabled list with a sprained left thumb. It was announced that Robertson would need surgery and effectively end his season. He finished the season hitting .262/.382/.415 with nine home runs and a 2.6 fWAR, the highest for his team at the time of his injury. Robertson was hit by pitches 13 times, fifth in the American League. Robertson once played 39 games at second base, 29 at shortstop, 19 at third base, four in left field, and one game each at first base and as a pitcher.

2019 season

Robertson began the season on the Opening day roster, but was optioned on June 15 after struggling offensively. He was recalled later on but was put on the disabled list on June 22 with a knee injury. He ended the season batting .213/.312/.295 in 74 games. He played 43 games at third base, 26 at second base, 16 at shortstop, and pitched in one game.

2020 season

On August 18, 2020, Robertson was

designated for assignment Designated for assignment (DFA) is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball (MLB). A player who is designated for assignment is immediately removed from the team's 40-man roster, after which the team must within seven days, return the pla ...

by the Rays.

San Francisco Giants (2020)

On August 23, 2020, Robertson was traded by the Rays to the

, in exchange for cash considerations or a player to be named later. In 13 games with San Francisco, he slashed .333/.417/.333. Robertson was non-tendered by the Giants on December 2, 2020.

Milwaukee Brewers (2021)

On January 12, 2021, Robertson signed a one-year, $900K contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. On July 7, Robertson was designated for assignment after hitting .164/.303/.274 with 2 home runs and 4 RBI in 50 games. He was outrighted to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds on July 13. Robertson became a free agent following the season.

Minnesota Twins

On February 7, 2022, Robertson signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins. He appeared in 17 games for the Triple-A St. Paul Saints, posting a slash of .183/.279/.267 with one home run and 10 RBI.

Philadelphia Phillies

On June 20, 2022, the Twins traded Robertson to the Philadelphia Phillies for cash considerations. Robertson played in 41 contests for the Triple-A

Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. They are located in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and are named in reference to pig iron, used in the ...

, hitting .220/.311/.404 with 5 home runs and 16 RBI. He elected free agency on November 10, 2022.

Tampa Bay Rays (second stint)

On February 10, 2023, Robertson signed a minor league contract with the

organization. Robertson was released by the Rays on March 29.

Atlanta Braves

On April 24, 2023, Robertson signed a minor league contract with the

Atlanta Braves The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East division. The Braves were founded in Bos ...

. In 54 games for the Triple–A

Gwinnett Stripers The Gwinnett Stripers are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. They play their home games at Coolray Field in unincorporated Gwinnett County, Georgia (with a Lawrencevil ...

, he batted .220/.337/.316 with 3 home runs and 20 RBI. On September 6, Robertson was released by the Braves organization.

Personal life

Robertson and his three brothers were raised in

, by his parents, Don and Julie. In 2013, despite not being a smoker, Don died from

lung cancer Lung cancer, also known as lung carcinoma (since about 98–99% of all lung cancers are carcinomas), is a malignant lung tumor characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. Lung carcinomas derive from transformed, malign ...

. Robertson has a tattoo on his upper right arm in tribute to his father. Robertson also has a charity called the Daniel Robertson Family Foundation. The foundation raises money to offset medical bills for cancer patients. Robertson grew up a

Los Angeles Angels The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Angels compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. Since 1966, the team h ...

fan.

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Robertson, Daniel 1994 births Living people Arizona League Athletics players Baseball players from San Bernardino County, California Beloit Snappers players Florida Complex League Phillies players Florida Complex League Twins players Gwinnett Stripers players Major League Baseball infielders Mesa Solar Sox players Milwaukee Brewers players Montgomery Biscuits players Nashville Sounds players San Francisco Giants players Sportspeople from Upland, California Stockton Ports players Tampa Bay Rays players Vermont Lake Monsters players