Ryan Roberts, former MLB “Fan Favorite”, who most notably played for the Arizona Diamondbacks, whom helped lead them from “worst to first”, now spends his time investing into the next generation as a Private Instructor and Teacher. Ryan’s capacity to empower young people with his vast experience is invaluable. He is passionate about building character and confidence in the individuals and teams that he works with so that on or off the field, they have endurance and heart to offer the world in front of them.

 

Early Life 

As a child, Ryan Roberts (Texas-born-and-raised) displayed an athleticism that made him stand out among his peers. He played Shortstop for the entirety of his youth. In high school Ryan was awarded as an All American in 1999, had the 7th highest batting average in Texas baseball history (.580), played in the Texas High School All-Star Game at Texas Rangers Stadium, and lettered as a sophomore through his senior year at a 6-5A Division High School. 

 

College Career

During his college years, Ryan played Shortstop, 2nd base, and got drafted as a 3rd baseman after only playing the position for only a short time. Ryan led in all three categories for Division 1 Texas JuCo hitters in Fall 2000 and in all three triple crown categories (batting, HR’s, RBI’s) with 17 homers in 21 games. In 2001 Ryan’s team won the NJCAA National Championship. In 2002 he was named SLC Newcomer of the Year, Player of the Year, and Hitter of the Year. He is a two-time All-SLC (Southern League Conference), and  ABCA 2003 NCAA Div. I South Central All-Region First Team. He led SLC in batting (.422) and home runs (16) and his 69 RBI were two shy of giving him the SLC Triple Crown, although his 97 base hits were also the most in the league. Tabbed SLC All-Tournament team after ending his University of Texas Arlington career batting .500. He currently owns or tied for 7 single-season UTA records. His name appears in a total of 19 single-season or career top-10 school record books. As he progressed through his high school and college career, it was clear that his God-given talent wasn’t the only thing that would catch the eye of MLB recruiters. It was his tenacity, work ethic, and mental attitude that would set him apart from his competition, ultimately leading to him being drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2003.

 

Professional Career Highlights

Three years after being drafted, Ryan got his chance in the Big Leagues. His first major league hit was a homerun off the late Cory Lidle in Yankee Stadium in front of 55,000 attendants. 

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As he progressed through the system, playing at each level in both Grapefruit League and Cactus League, as well as both National and American Leagues, Ryan played at every single position including catching and pitching. Whether he was a starting 2nd or 3rd baseman or utilized as a utility man, his versatility and experience earned him a reputation as an invaluable player making him quite the asset to each team he played on. 

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In Spring Training of 2011 after a methodical off-season regimen, he came away with the top batting average out of 1000 players who were invited to Big League camp. That following season, Ryan and the Diamondbacks went from being the “worst to first”, beating out the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants in the National League West. Ryan hit a walk-off grand slam against the Dodgers with the Diamondbacks down by three runs in the 10th inning to clinch the NL West making him the fourth player in MLB history to hit a walk-off grand slam in extra innings with the team down three runs. That title was previously held by Jason Giambi NYY in 2002,  Roger Freed STL in 1997, and Babe Ruth NYY in 1925. It was the second walk-off grand slam in team history.

 

Ryan also won the Heart and Hustle Award and humbly received the Fan Favorite Award, as well as being named as a member of the 2011 MLB All-Star team that went to the far East taking on the Chinese Taipei National team in the Taiwan All-Star Series. In addition to these accolades, Ryan learned an immense amount about his ability to rally a team together, the intricacies of team dynamic and the humility needed to not only be a good teammate but to be a leader for his team.

 

Retirement

Now, retired from MLB, Ryan, his wife, and four children live in Nashville, TN. In addition to Private Baseball Instruction and teaching, he is currently working as a Baseball Consultant and Assistant Producer on a Motion Picture Film entitled "You Gotta Believe" shooting in Canada. ​