At 22 years old, Ryder Robinson (BYU) is playing his first season of summer baseball.
“It’s just like a whole new experience that I’ve never done before,” Robinson said.
Robinson, a switch hitter, homered in his first at-bat with the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox in Tuesday’s win against Brewster. A few innings later, he knocked an RBI to center field to put Y-D ahead 3-0.
The slugger performed with similar success in today’s matchup against the Cotuit Kettleers. The infielder, who was moved from second in the lineup to first for today’s game, went 2-for-5 with two RBI and one walk. To keep his consistent hitting with Y-D alive, Robinson doesn’t plan to change anything about his swing.
His bat didn’t magically stay hot between his college season ending and his arrival on Cape Cod. He spent the past few months keeping his swing warm—only with some help.
“Just [stayed] with it at home, hitting in the cages with my dad,” said Robinson. “Every night, it’s just me and him hitting.”
Robinson has been practicing baseball with his dad, Darek Robinson, since he was three years old. Darek played baseball at College of Southern Idaho before getting drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1992. He played second base, just like his son did for part of tonight’s game with Y-D.
The many years of father-and-son practice in the cages seems to be paying off for Ryder Robinson.
Last season at BYU, he was an offensive menace. He hit and got on base frequently (.333 batting average, .434 on base percentage), and hit for power (.559 slug). He ended the season with a .990 OPS, 34 walks, 39 RBI, and 11 home runs. Given that he’s hitting .500 across his first two games with Y-D while adjusting to the Cape League’s competitiveness, his BYU self seems to have followed him to the Cape.
Despite being a late addition, Robinson’s teammates immediately welcomed him to Y-D following his move across the country.
“The guys are so cool and they just kind of welcome everyone in, so you kind of feel like a brotherhood,” said Robinson.
He also noted his appreciation for the combination of both the wholesome and competitive aspects of the Cape League.
“It’s been awesome, it’s fun playing,” Robinson said. “Best competition in the country, and got all the high school fields, so it’s fun.”
