St. Louis Cardinals: An interview with Kramer Robertson

Drafted in 2017, Kramer Robertson has moved steadily through the St. Louis Cardinal system. Robertson and I talked about spring training, being at Busch Stadium this year, and his approach as a ballplayer.

The St. Louis Cardinals have a knack for turning versatile infielders into key cogs on their major league team. In searching for the next member of this group, I was fortunate enough to speak with Cardinals shortstop Kramer Robertson.

A 4th round draft pick in 2017, Robertson was a great college ballplayer. Once he broke into the starting lineup at LSU, Kramer established himself as the leadoff man and starting shortstop for a very successful program. An All-American as a junior in 2016, Robertson batted .307 with eight home runs his senior season, leading the Tigers to the finals of the College World Series.

In his last full professional season in 2019, Robertson was on the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds, where he batted .235 in 66 games. Steadily rising through the minor league system, Kramer was a non-roster invite to Spring Training this season, before being assigned to the alternate training site to begin the year. Robertson and I talked about spring training, being at Busch Stadium this year, and his approach as a ballplayer.

Some responses edited for clarity

What was the atmosphere around the team being back at Spring Training this year?

It was great to get back into a routine of doing baseball. For so many of us it had been pretty much a year since we had any kind of baseball activity. To have some sense of normalcy was really nice. And the big league guys are so welcoming and so open to talking if you have any questions. Being back out on the baseball field and doing what you’re so used to doing– spring training overall was just a great experience.

Was there anyone in particular– players or coaches– that were more helpful this spring?

Honestly all of them were helpful. There wasn’t a single guy who wasn’t open to talking, and seeing how they go about their business on a daily basis– I wouldn’t say anybody in particular, just all of those guys were great.

Have you played at Busch Stadium before?

I’ve actually never been to Busch Stadium – I’m looking forward to that for sure. And I’ve driven through on the way home one season, but I’ve actually never stopped in St. Louis. We’ll work out at an independent league field when the team is in town, and then when the team is out of town, that’s when we will work out at Busch. That will be a pretty cool experience.

With some uncertainty this season, how do you stay prepared – especially not knowing when the next game will be?

As of right now, we’re planning on a May start, so I’m just going to go about my business the next month to try to get as prepared for the beginning of May as I can. I’m just trying to give myself the best shot that I can– I have no doubt that we’ll do all the activities and everything that we need to do to get us ready. Most of the guys at the alternate site are at the Triple-A level, so it’ll be an older group of guys that know how to get themselves ready. I’m looking forward to that and looking forward to the start of the season.

You’ve played mostly shortstop during your career. Are there other positions that you’re working on? Where do you feel comfortable playing the field?

Yeah, shortstop is definitely my most comfortable position. That was pretty much all I had played until the Triple-A level. Then when I got there, I started working more at second and third base along with shortstop, so I’ve been doing that all spring and in the offseason as well. Honestly when it comes down to it I can play outfield if need be– I think the more positions you can play, it gives you the most value and the best chance to get called up. I’m good with playing wherever–, I just want to play.

Each one is a challenge in itself– third base is different from second base, shortstop is different from both of them. But it’s just taking the time to learn the little things at each position and trusting your athletic ability. Definitely been a challenge to be a utility type player when you’ve been a shortstop your entire life, but like I said, you have to make those adjustments if you want to give yourself the best chance to get called up. That’s one of the conversations I had with Mike Shildt during spring training– just to continue to work at all the positions and become as comfortable as I can at all of them.

Do you have any specific goals for this season? Or is the focus just on continuing to get better?

Well, I think your main goal is always to continue to improve as a player. But just watching those big league guys and how they go about it, they’re so consistent in what they do and their routines and their play. Once you get to this high level, the talent level is not that crazy of a difference, it’s just how consistent they are and how committed they are to their routines and what they do in knowing themselves as a player. I’m going to continue to do what got me here and what I’m good at, but also realizing what the team’s needs are and what will give me the best chance to get called up. There is always work to be done and always new challenges, but that’s what baseball is.

You grew up around a winning program with your mom (legendary coach Kim Mulkey) and Baylor women’s basketball, you won a lot of games playing in college at LSU, and the Cardinals have their own winning tradition– are there any similarities you’ve found between these programs and consistent, winning ways?

Yeah, I mean I think there are always some similarities among winners and great leaders. Playing for a great college coach in Mainieri, growing up under the same roof as my mom who has obviously had her success, and now being at a great organization, you see a lot of similarities in how they go about their business. The confidence they have, the enthusiasm– I try to do that with my game. I’ve been really fortunate to play for a great college and a great professional organization.

I think I have the right mindset and approach for what it takes to be a major league baseball player and the challenges that come along with that. The struggles, the ups and downs– I always learned from my mom to just always be as even-keeled as you can. Never get too high and never get too low, and go about everything you do with enthusiasm. Nothing great is ever achieved without enthusiasm, so that’s the mindset I have going into each season.

I want to thank Kramer again for taking some time for this interview. Cardinal fans, keep an eye on his development– I have a feeling it won’t be long before he’s wearing a St. Louis uniform.