Rod Robertson, New Scenery - 21

Originally published Oct. 1, 2014

Having spent his first six seasons in the Phillies organization and never getting above AA, Rod Robertson was optimistic about his move to the Tigers for 1992, according to The Reading Eagle.

"It's a new scenery," Robertson told The Eagle. "New people are interested in me. Maybe I still have a chance to make it to the big leagues."

Robertson made AAA for the first time that year at Toledo. He went on to play through 1995, but he never made the bigs.

Robertson's career began in 1986, taken by the Phillies in the third round of the draft out of West Orange-Stark High School in Texas.

Robertson started with the Phillies at short-season Bend. He hit .242 in 65 games. He moved to single-A Spartanburg for 1987 and returned there in 1988.

After a slow start to 1988, the switch-hitter Robertson tried hitting solely right-handed, according to The Spartanburg Herald-Journal.

"I just wasn't feeling comfortable," Robertson told The Herald-Journal. "Everyone told me I was swinging well, but I wasn't in front of pitches."

Robertson's move away from switch-hitting appeared to be short-lived. He continued to be listed as batting from both sides.

Robertson moved to single-A Clearwater in 1989 and then to AA Reading for 1990. At Reading in 1991, Robertson hit .245 in 117 games. He also stole 20 bases and made the AA All-Star Game.

Robertson moved to the Tigers for 1992, splitting the year between AA London and AAA Toledo. He hit .224 on the year.

Robertson played in three more seasons, 1993 back at Toledo then 1994 in the Cubs system and 1995 with the Orioles at AAA Rochester. He hit .278 in 101 games at Rochester, but it was his final season as a pro.

• Spartanburg Herald-Journal, April 20, 1988: Robertson's switch pays off for S-Phils
• Reading Eagle, April 24, 1992: Rod Robertson has adjusted to the Detroit organization