When Hall of Famer and baseball legend Jackie Robinson appeared at Dodgers spring training camp in 1947, he immediately caught the attention of Dodgers manager Leo Durocher – and the rest, as they say, is history.

Sixty-seven years later there is another Robinson in Dodgers spring training camp. And while the only thing that these two Robinsons’ have in common is their last name, the Dodgers new Robinson is also catching the attention of his manager.

Even though the Dodgers have played only five spring training games to date, this represents 25% of their entire Australia-shortened 2014 spring training season. And while it is a bit premature to evaluate who’s hot and who’s not based on such a small sample size, there are some numbers and achievements that are just too glaring to ignore – none more so than those of non-roster invitee Clint Robinson.

Clint Robinson was signed to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league camp on November 18, 2013 as a free agent. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

It’s probably safe to say that most Dodger fans had never heard of the 29-year-old Robinson prior to the Dodgers 2014 spring training opener on February 26. But in the five games since, it’s probably even safer to say that they have now. With a last name of Robinson he is a perfect fit for the Dodgers organization but for one small detail – there currently isn’t any room for him on the Dodgers 25-man roster or even the 40-man roster.

…or is there?

After five spring training games Robinson is currently the best offensive player on the team – better than Yasiel Puig, better than Adrian Gonzalez, better than Hanley Ramirez, Andre Ethier and Carl Crawford. Through five games the Jefferson City, Missouri native is only hitting .545 (6 for 11) with one of the Dodgers three spring training home runs thus far. His .545 on base percentage, .818 slugging percentage and 1.364 OPS are even better than the alien-like numbers that Puig put up last spring.

“This is my third or fourth major league camp,” Robinson said. “It’s always good when you come into a new organization and you’re trying to learn faces and learn names and all that, but as far as baseball goes it’s been pretty much the same, pretty standard stuff. You come in as ready as you can to start camp and hopefully when you get in the games you make the most of your opportunities.”

Robinson has enjoyed the atmosphere in the Dodgers clubhouse since reporting for camp over three weeks ago.

“It’s good here so far,” said the 6′ 5″ 230-pound first baseman. “I’m still getting to know everybody and I’m enjoying my time. Anytime you come in and have positive results it always makes the games more fun.

“Spring training can be kind of a grind and it can be kind of tedious and boring at times just because it doesn’t really count yet,” added Robinson. “But to come in and just have fun playing the game and getting some positive results early in the year is always fun.”

Robinson’s ‘positive results’ haven’t gone unnoticed by Dodgers manager Don Mattingly. The Dodger skipper says that Robinson reminds him of another big (and successful) hitter.

“He is a guy that’s kind of opened our eyes right away watching BP,” said Mattingly of Robinson. “We really like his swing. To me it’s a (John) Olerud swing. I told him right away he looks like John Olerud, a big guy with a short swing. You (saw) yesterday he shoots a couple balls to left field, he hits the ball in the seats, a quiet big guy with kind of a short stroke.”

Robinson went 2 for 2 in Saturday’s game against the Brewers – both singles that were driven to left field.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Mattingly is well aware of Robinson’s excellent minor league career and plans to use the big left-hander quite a bit this spring.

“Looking at his minor league numbers, this guy has put up some numbers,” said Mattingly. “He’s getting a chance to play, he’ll play a lot. This spring is going to be a chance for him. We want to be able to move Slykie (Scott VanSlyke) around and Adrian can’t take all the at bats, so he’ll get at bats and he’ll get looks.”

But even greater than his off-the-charts offensive numbers and his error-free defense there is something else about Clint Robinson that you will not find on any stat sheet or in any box score – his quiet demeanor, his humble personality with his feet firmly planted squarely on the ground. In other words, he knows exactly where he stands and has a firm grasp on reality.

“I take it day to day,” said Robinson. “Ultimately for every player in here the goal is to make the major league team. The chances of me doing that are probably pretty slim knowing the pieces that they already have in place from last year and coming in this year, so I’m going to do whatever they ask me to do, I’m going to come in and do the best I can and let the decision makers make the decisions and I just play the game.”

Even though Robinson’s chances of making the opening day roster may be slim, it’s a safe bet that Dodger fans will see the big man at Dodger Stadium at some point during the 2014 season.