When the Dodgers announced that they had designated utility infielder/outfielder Jamie Romak for assignment on Wednesday afternoon, it didn’t really come as a surprise to anyone. In fact, it was pretty much a given that he would would be the one to go to make room for Juan Uribe, who is expected to re-join the team in L.A. on Thursday. But what was a surprise is that the move came a day earlier than expected and that Romak had been replaced with 6′ 5″ 230-pound first baseman Clint Robinson from Triple-A Albuquerque.

Although the last name Robinson is synonymous with Dodgers (and baseball) history, the first name Clint is not. However, anyone who spent any time at Camelback Ranch this past spring knows exactly who Clint Robinson is. In fact, ThinkBlueLA posted an article on the soft-spoken 29-year-old Jefferson City, Missouri native back on March 3, 2014.

Robinson attracted a lot of attention during spring training where he went 8 for 26 (.308) with a home run. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

At Triple-A Albuquerque Robinson continued to put up impressive numbers. In the 77 games in which he appeared he hit .309 with 14 home runs and 56 RBIs. He was also very effective on the other side of the ball where he committed only four errors in 653 chances for an outstanding .994 fielding percentage as the Isotopes everyday first baseman.

“He is a guy that’s kind of opened our eyes right away watching BP,” said Dodgers manager Don Mattingly of Robinson during spring training. “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. [He hits] balls to left field, he hits the ball in the seats, a quiet big guy with kind of a short stroke.”

Mattingly likened Clint Robinson’s swing with that of three-time Gold Glover and two-time All-Star John Olerud. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Robinson was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 25th round of the 2007 First Year Player Draft out of Troy University in Troy, AL. After spending six years in the minor leagues, he was called up to the Royals for a cup of coffee going 0 for 4 in the four games in which he appeared. Robinson was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates organization during the off-season but was waived before spring training 2013 began. He was picked up off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays and spent the season at Triple-A Buffalo. He became a free agent at the conclusion of the season and was signed to a minor league contract by the Dodgers on November 18, 2013 with an invitation to big league camp, where he did quite well.

“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,” said Robinson. “But to come in and just have fun playing the game and getting some positive results early in the year is always fun.”

Even though Robinson was used exclusively at first base by the Isotopes, he has also played left and right field during his eight-year minor league career. This could be one reason why the Dodgers called him up, as Adrian Gonzalez pretty much has a lock on first base through the 2018 season – something that Robinson is well aware of.

“I take it day to day,” said Robinson. “Ultimately for every player in here the goal [during spring training] 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.”

And what was my assessment of Robinson during spring training?

“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.”

Boom.