Thomas Royse
| IP | 55 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 3.764 |
| WHIP | 1.236 |
| BB/9 | 1.309 |
| SO/9 | 6.873 |
- Full name Thomas Benjamin Royse
- Born 09/07/1988 in Lexington, KY
- Profile Ht.: 6'5" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Louisville
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Drafted in the C-B round (114th overall) by the Chicago White Sox in 2010 (signed for $263,500).
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Royse had just started to roll as a weekend starter in 2009, sandwiching a pair of 10-strikeout efforts around eight shutout innings against Pittsburgh, when a compression fracture in his lower back brought his sophomore season to a halt. He has picked up where he left off, becoming Louisville's Friday-night starter this season. The 6-foot-5, 215-pounder has been healthy all spring and the Cardinals won all but one of his 15 starts entering regional play. Scouts have mixed opinions about Royse. Those who like him point to the 90-93 mph fastball he throws on a steep downward plane, his ability to cut and sink the ball in on the hands of lefthanders and his tight slider. Others say his velocity drops to 87-89 mph after a few innings and see the slider as a fringy pitch. He does a good job of throwing strikes and has the makings of a changeup. Undrafted out of a Kentucky high school three years ago when he turned down six-figure overtures from pro clubs, Royse should go in the fourth to sixth round this time around.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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The White Sox thought they might have gotten a steal when they took Royse with the 114th overall pick in the 2010 draft. But he strained his elbow late in his 2010 pro debut and wound up needing Tommy John surgery, which sidelined him throughout 2011. At Louisville and at Rookie-level Great Falls, Royse succeeded because of his slider and willingness to attack the strike zone. His slider is a true swing-and-miss pitch. His fastball sits in the high 80s and peaks at 92 mph, and it's effective because of its downward plane and natural sink. His changeup is still a work in progress. Chicago hopes Royse has gotten all of his injuries out of the way, as he also was sidelined at Louisville in 2009 with a compression fracture in his back. When he's at his best, he has a solid motion and is able to easily repeat his delivery. His lack of velocity could make him more of a John Ely type than a top prospect, but the White Sox believe Royse's slider could develop into a major weapon, allowing him to pitch out of the bullpen if not as a starter. He should be at full strength in spring training. -
Selected with the compensation pick the White Sox received after failing to sign Tennessee lefthander Bryan Morgado as a third-round choice in 2009, Royse looks like a potential steal after signing for $263,500. One Pioneer League coach who saw him wondered how Royse lasted 114 picks in the draft. Teams shied away from him because he doesn't have front-of-the-rotation velocity and has had health issues, including a compression fracture in his lower back that cut short his sophomore college season. He pitched 104 innings as Louisville's ace in 2010, going 9-1, 2.85 with 99 strikeouts, but encountered mild elbow problems after getting off to a fast start for Great Falls. Royse's fastball, which sits at 88-90 mph and peaks at 93 is effective because of its downward angle and natural sink. His slider is a plus pitch at times, eliciting swings and misses at its best, and Chicago was encouraged by the early improvements he made with his changeup. He repeats his delivery well and pounds the strike zone. With a healthy 2011 season, Royse could vault his way up the organization's pitching depth chart. He'll likely begin the season in low Class A.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Royse thrived as Louisville's Friday-night starter, showcasing a solid three-pitch repertoire, a physical build and a clean delivery. The White Sox popped him with the 114th pick in the draft and inserted him into the Great Falls rotation, where he helped propel the Voyagers to a Pioneer League-leading 47 victories. He pitched just twice after July 30, both times in relief, as he recovered from a strained elbow. Royse's fastball sits at 88-90 mph with plus sinking, tailing action, and he locates it to both sides of the plate. He can touch 92 mph but relies more on location and downhill plane than velocity. With his smooth, repeatable delivery, he has no trouble throwing strikes with his heater or his secondary stuff, which has come a long way in the last year. He flashes a plus slider with tilt in the mid-70s and also has a show-me changeup. He could have a future as a high-leverage reliever or back-of-the-rotation starter.
