Sem Robberse Stats & Scouting Report

IP	14.2
ERA	7.36
WHIP	2.11
BB/9	4.91
SO/9	11.66

Full name Sem Robberse
Born 10/12/2001 in Zeist, Netherlands
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 185 / Bats: R / Throws: R

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade/Risk: 45/High.

Track Record: A native of the Netherlands, Robberse is the rare prospect born and raised in Europe. He signed with the Blue Jays in 2019 and steadily climbed the minor league ladder, reaching Double-A by the end of his second full season. He returned to Double-A in 2023 and made 18 starts before he was traded to the Cardinals as part of the exchange for Jordan Hicks. Robberse spent nearly all of 2024 with Triple-A Memphis but missed two months in the middle of the season due to right elbow tightness.

Scouting Report: Robberse is a righthanded starter with good feel for spin and, up until 2024, had shown a penchant for eating innings. Robberse mixes four pitches: a four-seam fastball, slider, cutter and changeup. Robberse’s fastball sits 90-92 mph with ride and cut. His slider is his best secondary and his only above-average or better pitch. The slider sits 82-84 mph with spin rates up to 3,000 rpms with over a foot of sweep on average. His upper-80s cutter is often used in lieu of or in tandem with his fastball. Robberse’s changeup is a good chase pitch but rarely landed in the zone. Robberse has above-average command of his stuff and handled the Triple-A ABS well.

The Future: Robberse has back-of-the-rotation upside and could serve as a depth starter for the Cardinals in 2025 if healthy.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 40 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Cutter: 45 | Control: 55.
BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: A Netherlands native, Robberse is the rare prospect born and raised in Europe. He signed with the Blue Jays in 2019 and steadily climbed the minor league ladder, reaching Double-A by the end of his second full season. He returned to Double-A in 2023 and made 18 starts before he was traded to the Cardinals as part of the exchange for Jordan Hicks. Robberse made seven starts with Triple-A Memphis after the trade.

Scouting Report: A projectable righthander with an athletic operation, Robberse mixes five pitches in his fastball, slider, curveball, changeup and cutter. Robberse’s fastball sits 91-93 mph and touches 94, with pedestrian movement. He threw it less than 40% of the time because it lacks vertical movement and velocity. Robberse’s feel for spinning a pair of breaking ball shapes is his carrying tool. His slider sits 84-86 mph with sweeper shape, but less horizontal movement than a typical sweeper. Robberse’s curveball might be his best performing pitch and sits 82-84 mph with more sweep and depth than his slider. Robberse’s changeup is a fringe-average and firm offspeed pitch that sits 87-89 mph with tumble and moderate fade. He’ll also throw a cutter as bridge pitch between his fastball and two breaking balls. Robberse is still learning to command his vast arsenal and projects as a fringe-average strike thrower.

The Future: Robberse could make the jump to a potential back-end starter with command improvements. If not, he could make it as a low-leverage reliever who heavily relies on his breaking ball.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 40 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Cutter: 45 | Control: 45
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: While baseball is a global game, few legitimate major league prospects have come from Europe. Robberse, who grew up in The Netherlands, is looking to make a name for himself as a true European major leaguer. After signing for $125,000 during the 2019 international signing period, Robberse blossomed into a legitimate starting pitching prospect. He spent a majority of his 2022 season at High-A Vancouver and made 17 starts for the Canadians before seeing a late-season promotion to Double-A New Hampshire.

Scouting Report: A slight righthander with a long arm action and true three-quarters slot, Robberse mixes three pitches predominantly in his fastball, slider and changeup combination. He sits 89-92 mph on a four-seam fastball that has natural cut and mixes in a low-to-mid-80s slider with moderate sweep. The two pitches account for over 75% of his pitch usage. He shows a mid-to-high-80s changeup to lefthanded hitters that generated high rates of whiffs and chase swings. Robberse lacks power but repeats his delivery well and shows the ability to tunnel both his slider and changeup off his fastball. Overall it's a strong pitch mix with improving feel and command.

The Future: Robberse has the look of a pitchability back-of-the-rotation starter. If Robberse can add strength, and subsequently velocity, he has a chance to crack a big-league rotation.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 45. Slider: 50. Changeup: 55. Control: 50.
Track Record: Robberse was a skinny 16-year-old throwing in the mid-80s in the summer of 2018. The next spring, he reached 88 mph before signing with the Blue Jays for $125,000. He went to the United States after signing and touched 90 mph. When the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League started, he was up to 93 mph. He made his full-season debut in 2021, reaching High-A Vancouver as a 19-year-old.

Scouting Report: Robberse is an easy operator with smooth, fluid mechanics. It’s a low-effort delivery with good arm speed, and while Robberse has gotten stronger over the last few years, he still has a lean, lanky build to project more velocity to his 89-94 mph fastball. He shows feel to spin both his hard curveball and mid-80s slider, both average pitches that could still tick up. He throws a firm changeup that isn’t much of a factor yet. Robberse’s walk rate jumped upon his promotion to High-A, but he’s usually a solid strike-thrower with a repeatable delivery.

The Future: While Robberse’s stuff isn’t overpowering, the projection indicators are encouraging, with the pitch mix, control and delivery to remain a starter. He likely returns to High-A to begin 2022 but could be in Double-A as a 20-year-old.

Scouting Reports

BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: While baseball is a global game, few legitimate major league prospects have come from Europe. Robberse, who grew up in The Netherlands, is looking to make a name for himself as a true European major leaguer. After signing for $125,000 during the 2019 international signing period, Robberse blossomed into a legitimate starting pitching prospect. He spent a majority of his 2022 season at High-A Vancouver and made 17 starts for the Canadians before seeing a late-season promotion to Double-A New Hampshire.

Scouting Report: A slight righthander with a long arm action and true three-quarters slot, Robberse mixes three pitches predominantly in his fastball, slider and changeup combination. He sits 89-92 mph on a four-seam fastball that has natural cut and mixes in a low-to-mid-80s slider with moderate sweep. The two pitches account for over 75% of his pitch usage. He shows a mid-to-high-80s changeup to lefthanded hitters that generated high rates of whiffs and chase swings. Robberse lacks power but repeats his delivery well and shows the ability to tunnel both his slider and changeup off his fastball. Overall it's a strong pitch mix with improving feel and command.

The Future: Robberse has the look of a pitchability back-of-the-rotation starter. If Robberse can add strength, and subsequently velocity, he has a chance to crack a big-league rotation.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 45. Slider: 50. Changeup: 55. Control: 50.
BA Grade/Risk: 45/High

Track Record: While baseball is a global game, few legitimate major league prospects have come from Europe. Robberse, who grew up in The Netherlands, is looking to make a name for himself as a true European major leaguer. After signing for $125,000 during the 2019 international signing period, Robberse blossomed into a legitimate starting pitching prospect. He spent a majority of his 2022 season at High-A Vancouver and made 17 starts for the Canadians before seeing a late-season promotion to Double-A New Hampshire.

Scouting Report: A slight righthander with a long arm action and true three-quarters slot, Robberse mixes three pitches predominantly in his fastball, slider and changeup combination. He sits 89-92 mph on a four-seam fastball that has natural cut and mixes in a low-to-mid-80s slider with moderate sweep. The two pitches account for over 75% of his pitch usage. He shows a mid-to-high-80s changeup to lefthanded hitters that generated high rates of whiffs and chase swings. Robberse lacks power but repeats his delivery well and shows the ability to tunnel both his slider and changeup off his fastball. Overall it's a strong pitch mix with improving feel and command.

The Future: Robberse has the look of a pitchability back-of-the-rotation starter. If Robberse can add strength, and subsequently velocity, he has a chance to crack a big-league rotation.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 45. Slider: 50. Changeup: 55. Control: 50.
BA Grade: 45/High

Track Record: Robberse was a skinny 16-year-old throwing in the mid-80s in the summer of 2018. The next spring, he reached 88 mph before signing with the Blue Jays for $125,000. He went to the United States after signing and touched 90 mph. When the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League started, he was up to 93 mph. He made his full-season debut in 2021, reaching High-A Vancouver as a 19-year-old.

Scouting Report: Robberse is an easy operator with smooth, fluid mechanics. It&#39s a low-effort delivery with good arm speed, and while Robberse has gotten stronger over the last few years, he still has a lean, lanky build to project more velocity to his 89-94 mph fastball. He shows feel to spin both his hard curveball and mid-80s slider, both average pitches that could still tick up. He throws a firm changeup that isn&#39t much of a factor yet. Robberse&#39s walk rate jumped upon his promotion to High-A, but he&#39s usually a solid strike-thrower with a repeatable delivery.

The Future: While Robberse&#39s stuff isn&#39t overpowering, the projection indicators are encouraging, with the pitch mix, control and delivery to remain a starter. He likely returns to High-A to begin 2022 but could be in Double-A as a 20-year-old.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50. Cutter: 45. Slider: 55. Changeup: 55. Control: 50
Track Record: Robberse was a skinny 16-year-old throwing in the mid-80s in the summer of 2018. The next spring, he reached 88 mph before signing with the Blue Jays for $125,000. He went to the United States after signing and touched 90 mph. When the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League started, he was up to 93 mph. He made his full-season debut in 2021, reaching High-A Vancouver as a 19-year-old.

Scouting Report: Robberse is an easy operator with smooth, fluid mechanics. It’s a low-effort delivery with good arm speed, and while Robberse has gotten stronger over the last few years, he still has a lean, lanky build to project more velocity to his 89-94 mph fastball. He shows feel to spin both his hard curveball and mid-80s slider, both average pitches that could still tick up. He throws a firm changeup that isn’t much of a factor yet. Robberse’s walk rate jumped upon his promotion to High-A, but he’s usually a solid strike-thrower with a repeatable delivery.

The Future: While Robberse’s stuff isn’t overpowering, the projection indicators are encouraging, with the pitch mix, control and delivery to remain a starter. He likely returns to High-A to begin 2022 but could be in Double-A as a 20-year-old.
TRACK RECORD: In the summer of 2018, Robberse was a skinny 16-year-old throwing in the mid 80s. The following spring, he reached 88 mph before signing with the Blue Jays for $125,000. After signing, Robberse went to the United States and hit 90 mph. Once the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League started, he was up to 93 mph. Robberse has a host of projection indicators pointing in the right direction, but the 2020 season hampered his development. He stayed in Florida with a group of Venezuelan players the Blue Jays had in a hotel during the shutdown, training there over the summer before heading home prior to instructional league.

SCOUTING REPORT: Robberse pitches with incredible ease of operation, throwing with fluid, easy mechanics. Adding weight and getting stronger helped Robberse's velocity tick up in 2019, and between his remaining physical projection, arm speed and relatively clean delivery, there's probably more velocity coming. He mixes four- and two-seam fastballs with the athleticism to repeat his delivery and shows command of both. He shows a feel for a breaking ball that flashes solid-average and is in the early stages of learning to throw a changeup.

THE FUTURE: There is a wide range of possible outcomes for Robberse. He's a breakout candidate if his stuff continues its upward trend in 2021.
TRACK RECORD: In the summer of 2018, Robberse was a skinny 16-year-old throwing in the mid 80s. The following spring, he reached 88 mph before signing with the Blue Jays for $125,000. After signing, Robberse went to the United States and hit 90 mph. Once the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League started, he was up to 93 mph. Robberse has a host of projection indicators pointing in the right direction, but the 2020 season hampered his development. He stayed in Florida with a group of Venezuelan players the Blue Jays had in a hotel during the shutdown, training there over the summer before heading home prior to instructional league.

SCOUTING REPORT: Robberse pitches with incredible ease of operation, throwing with fluid, easy mechanics. Adding weight and getting stronger helped Robberse's velocity tick up in 2019, and between his remaining physical projection, arm speed and relatively clean delivery, there's probably more velocity coming. He mixes four- and two-seam fastballs with the athleticism to repeat his delivery and shows command of both. He shows a feel for a breaking ball that flashes solid-average and is in the early stages of learning to throw a changeup.

THE FUTURE: There is a wide range of possible outcomes for Robberse. He's a breakout candidate if his stuff continues its upward trend in 2021.

Career Transactions

Memphis Redbirds activated RHP Sem Robberse.
St. Louis Cardinals optioned RHP Sem Robberse to Memphis Redbirds.
St. Louis Cardinals reassigned RHP Sem Robberse to the minor leagues.
St. Louis Cardinals recalled RHP Sem Robberse from Memphis Redbirds.
Memphis Redbirds activated RHP Sem Robberse from the 7-day injured list.
Memphis Redbirds sent RHP Sem Robberse on a rehab assignment to Palm Beach Cardinals.
Memphis Redbirds sent RHP Sem Robberse on a rehab assignment to Palm Beach Cardinals.
Memphis Redbirds placed RHP Sem Robberse on the 7-day injured list.
RHP Sem Robberse assigned to Memphis Redbirds.
St. Louis Cardinals traded RHP Jordan Hicks to Toronto Blue Jays for RHP Adam Kloffenstein and RHP Sem Robberse.
St. Louis Cardinals traded RHP Jordan Hicks to Toronto Blue Jays for RHP Adam Kloffenstein and RHP Sem Robberse.
RHP Sem Robberse assigned to New Hampshire Fisher Cats from FCL Blue Jays.
RHP Sem Robberse assigned to New Hampshire Fisher Cats from FCL Blue Jays.
RHP Sem Robberse assigned to FCL Blue Jays from New Hampshire Fisher Cats.
RHP Sem Robberse roster status changed by Toronto Blue Jays.
Toronto Blue Jays invited non-roster RHP Sem Robberse to spring training.