Slugger Clint Robinson making a case

VIERA, Fla. - Clint Robinson has bounced around the minor leagues for nine years since Kansas City drafted him in 2007. Despite swinging a heavy bat to the tune of a .302 average with 141 homers and 587 RBIs in the minors, Robinson has only taken in the bright lights of the majors for 13 games - four with Royals in 2012 and nine with the Dodgers last season.

"It's tough," Robinson said. "It's a good place to be, the big leagues. You want to get up there and you want to stay, but there are a lot of factors to come into that and sometimes it's out of your control and sometimes it is your control. You just go out there and put on the uniform and do the best you can and let the decision-makers make the decisions, and you be the ballplayer and just play ball."

That's exactly what Robinson is doing during this spring training. Built like a lumberjack at 6-foot-5 and 225 lbs., Robinson is primarily accustomed to the fairly less athletic position of first base. But injuries to Nationals starters coupled with Robinson's need for as many opportunities to showcase his powerful bat has led the 30-year-old to the outfield for most of the Grapefruit League season.

"When I told my coach in the offseason in college that I was actually gonna play some outfield, he said, 'Did they watch you in college?' " Robinson said with a laugh. "I think it's going OK, though. I feel much better than when I started. At first, it was tough because we were practicing and the winds were gusting and I was like, 'Man, this could be a long spring.' But the more I've gotten out there and the more reps I've gotten, the easier it's gotten for me. So now I go out there and don't even think about it anymore. It's just see the ball and catch the ball."

Robinson thinks he's appeared in the outfield in 11 games over his minor league career and a handful during his senior year at Troy University, but none before that (he's close - Baseball-Reference.com says 10 outfield appearances, seven in left field and three on right field). His effort taking on a relatively new challenge have not been lost on Nationals manager Matt Williams.

"He's looked really good out there," Williams said. "He's more of a right fielder, that's where he's most comfortable."

However, it's Robinson's bat that has really drawn Williams' attention. Slugging .875 will do that. Robinson has two homers, including a grand slam, to go with a triple, two doubles, six RBIs and a .417 average in 13 exhibition games.

"He's making a really good case," Williams said. "He's an athlete. He's a big man and with that, brings some power. At the same time, with that big frame, he's got a really short stroke which is repeatable."

After almost a decade in the minors, Robinson knows he needs to keep his emotions in check despite the encouraging results.

"I just go out there and put on the uniform and play the game the way I know how to play it," Robinson said. "You can't really worry about the kind of stuff off the field. You can't worry about things - is this going to affect you? Am I gonna make this club? Or am I gonna get sent down? All that kind of stuff. You just go out there and play the best you can and let whatever happens happen."

Robinson, who the Nats signed to a minor league contract with an invitation to big league camp, would like to head north to D.C. for opening day. His left-handed bat is an added plus for a lineup and bench that's lacking them. Robinson's attitude fits well in the clubhouse, too.

"He's got the tools that are necessary to have success and he's willing to play anywhere," Williams said. "If we asked him to put the (catcher's) gear on, I'm sure he would. There's no plan in doing that, but he would. He wants to play."

Robinson will be happy to know his skipper isn't considering putting him behind the plate since the blinding Florida sun and the swirling winds inside Space Coast Stadium have provided enough of an adventure for him.

"That's pretty terrifying when there's a ball up there and you don't know if it's going to hit you in the face or not," he joked.