Ryan Roberts, former MLB “Fan Favorite”, who most notably played for the Arizona Diamondbacks, now spends his time investing into the next generation as a Private Baseball Instructor, Teacher, and Entrepreneur. 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 the 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 an All-American in 1999, has an impressive 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. Slated to be a number two draft pick for the Yankees out of L.D. Bell High School, Ryan ended up going the College route before being drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays his senior year.

 

College Career

During his college years, Ryan was a Shortstop, 2nd baseman, and interestingly enough, he got drafted as a 3rd baseman after playing the position for only a very short period. Ryan led in all three categories for Division 1 Texas JuCo hitters in Fall 2000 and all three triple crown categories (batting, HRs, RBIs) 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 the SLC Triple Crown, although his 97 base hits were also the most in the league. Tabbed 'SLC All-Tournament' after ending his University of Texas Arlington career batting .500. He currently owns 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 athleticism and grit weren’t the only thing that would catch the eye of Major League 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 home run 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 the 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 all 1000+ ballplayers 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. In the game to battle for home field advantage in the Playoffs, Ryan hit a walk-off grand slam against the Dodgers with the Diamondbacks down by three runs in the 10th inning clinching 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 New York Yankees in 2002,  Roger Freed STL in 1997, and Babe Ruth Yankees in 1925. It was the second walk-off grand slam in team history.

 

In Game 4 of the 2011 NLDS, Ryan hit another Grand Slam against the Brewers, down 0-1 with two outs and was 6-13 with the bases loaded that season. He won the Heart and Hustle Award and humbly received the Fan Favorite Award, as well as being named a member of the MLB All-Star team that went on to the Far East taking on the Chinese Taipei National team in the Taiwan All-Star Series. In addition to these accolades with thirteen years of professional baseball under his belt, Ryan has learned an immense amount about mental toughness and discipline, the intricacies of team dynamics, and the humility needed to not only be a good teammate but a leader for his team.

 

Retirement

Now retired from the Majors, Ryan, his wife, and four children live in Nashville, TN. In addition to Private Baseball Instruction and teaching, he is the CSO at Endurance Unsaturated, CAO and Lead Designer at Nashville Fútbol Club, and recently wrapped up working as a Baseball Consultant and Assistant Producer on a Motion Picture Film entitled "You Gotta Believe", staring Luke Wilson and Greg Kinnear, set to release in August 2024.