Kelly Robertson of the Crosscutters takes batting practice during Media Day at Bowman Field Sunday afternoon. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Every athlete that appears in the Draft League has had to face adversity.

From grueling travel ball to limited high school campaigns and the demanding college years after, every athlete that’s been selected to participate in the Draft League has already had a fair share of chips on their shoulder.

But located on the Williamsport Crosscutter roster, one athlete’s chip is especially large.

Heading into his senior year of high school back in 2024, outfielder Kelly Robertson had zero years of starting varsity experience, coming off of a .289 clip in his 2022 junior varsity campaign.

Two years later, after one full season of Junior College Ball, the Louisville native finds himself in Williamsport, squaring off against some of the top prospects in baseball.

“I have a big, big chip on my shoulder for sure,” echoed Robertson. “I’ve always felt like an underdog my whole life, so the opportunity to come here in the first place is a good thing. I really look forward to playing.”

A lot has had to, and has, happened in order for Robertson to take such a large leap. Getting the nod to play at the varsity level for Eastern High School, the Kentuckian came to his own with a .406 season average that saw 34 runs batted in, 33 runs scored, 18 extra base hits, and 19 stolen bases in just 34 appearances.

“Walked in unproven, but @EHSEaglesBaseball had my back,” was part of the twitter post from Robertson recapping the season.

The late-blooming performance earned Robertson a roster spot with Mineral Area, a JuCo powerhouse in Missouri with a recent history of winning conference championships and pushing athletes up the college baseball ladder.

There, Robertson wouldn’t live up to those stats. He would surpass them.

A day one starter as a true freshman, the Louisville native would bat .417, netting 47 RBI, 48 runs scored, 26 extra base hits, and 17 stolen bases for a Dirty Birds team that finished the year 42-8 with a perfect conference mark.

A three appearance season would not deter the Draft League nor the University of Missouri, who would lock in the utility talent for three years of eligibility starting next year.

“I took a chance with them,” Robertson discussed. “I had a good season, I proved myself. And I look forward to doing that by [going] to Mizzou after this.”

The versatility on the stat sheet reflects the type of defense Robertson plays on the diamond. Listed as an outfielder on the Crosscutter roster, Robertson started the 2025 campaign as a middle infielder before finishing the season as a corner outfielder during a deep postseason run.

“I think I can be a five-tool player here,” continued Robertson. “I think I can work towards that. There are some things I wanna work on, but I really think I can change the way the game goes on a daily basis. I can track balls down really well in the outfield, and I can hit for some power too, minus my size, I get it done.’

Williamsport kicks off the 2026 season at home, with a three-game midweek session vs. the West Virginia Black Bears starting on Tuesday. The day will begin a six week journey that will see a grueling 30 game schedule against the best talents that most of the athletes have ever faced.

But for Robertson, it’s all extra in comparison to what he’s achieved just to get to this point.

“I want to be known as a factor on the team,” concluded Robertson. “I want to maybe be someone that people look up to. I want people to remember the number 21 out there.”