| Chris Roycroft | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Roycroft with theSpringfield Cardinals atHammons Field in 2023 | |
| St. Louis Cardinals – No. 58 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1997-06-21)June 21, 1997 (age 27) Elmhurst, Illinois, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| May 7, 2024, for the St. Louis Cardinals | |
| MLB statistics (through 2024 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 1–2 |
| Earned run average | 4.19 |
| Strikeouts | 33 |
| Teams | |
| |
Chris Michael Roycroft (born June 21, 1997) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher for theSt. Louis Cardinals ofMajor League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2024.
Roycroft attendedWillowbrook High School inVilla Park, Illinois, graduating in 2015.[1] He was named an All Area baseball player by theDaily Herald.[2] He then attendedAurora University, where he playedNCAA Division IIIcollege baseball andcollege basketball. After being a reliever his first three seasons, picking up 9 saves, he converted to a starting pitcher in 2019, going 7–3 with a 2.95 ERA in 11 starts.[3][2] He was notdrafted in 2019.[4]
On February 9, 2021, Roycroft signed his first professional contract with theJoliet Slammers of theFrontier League.[5] He signed after attending a tryout where he threw a 97 mile per hour fastball.[6] He made 26 appearances for Joliet in 2021, logging a 4–4 record and 5.81 ERA with 62 strikeouts across69+2⁄3 innings pitched. Roycroft improved his performance the following season, recording a 1.08 ERA across 13 games for the Slammers in the first half of 2022.[7]
On June 29, 2022, Roycroft signed a minor league contract with theSt. Louis Cardinals.[8] He finished the year with the High-APeoria Chiefs, with a 4.50 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 32 innings across 19 appearances.[3]
Roycroft began the 2023 season Peoria and was promoted twice, moving up to the Double-ASpringfield Cardinals in early May and the Triple-AMemphis Redbirds early July. In 46 games as a reliever for the three affiliates, he had a 7–8 record and 5.86 ERA with 64 strikeouts across 63 innings.[3][9]
Roycroft began the 2024 season with Memphis. On May 6, 2024, Roycroft was added to the40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[4] He made his MLB debut the following night,striking out 2 batters but allowing a line drive home run toPete Alonso.[6][10][11]
Roycroft won his first MLB game on June 13, getting the final two outs in the sixth inning against thePittsburgh Pirates.[12] He finished his rookie season with a 1–2 record, 4.19 ERA and 33 strikeouts in34+1⁄3 innings.[13]
Roycroft's parents are Margaret and Don. He has a brother, Corey, and sisters Jazmine and Makense.[2]