Roscoe Crosby

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Kansas City Royals #20 prospect in 2003
  The Royals spent $1.75 million in bonus money on Crosby in 2001 and have yet to receive anything aside from medical bills. Crosby reported to Spokane after signing but didn't play because of a right elbow injury that forced him to DH as a high school senior. Then he headed off to Clemson, where he caught 27 passes and four touchdowns as a freshman wide receiver. (His NFL potential and elbow problems were the prevailing reasons the consensus best athlete in the 2001 draft lasted until the second round.) After completing his freshman year, Crosby reported to extended spring training. He was able to hit but the elbow continued to bother him, so Crosby had Tommy John surgery. He hasn't been able to display the blend of speed and power that had the Royals comparing him to a young Ken Griffey. He still offers tremendous upside, but his potential to reach it has diminished thanks to the two-year layoff, combined with his time lost to football and his inferior high school competition. He spent the fall rehabbing and didn't attend classes at Clemson but plans to continue his football career. Getting 500 at-bats a year would go a long way toward improving Crosby's game and standing as a prospect.
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  Ranked Kansas City Royals #5 prospect in 2002
  The Royals like to go after big-time football recruits, from Willie Wilson and Bo Jackson to 1990s first-round picks Matt Smith and Dee Brown. They considered Crosby before taking Colt Griffin ninth overall last June, and got Crosby in the second round because he wanted to play wide receiver at Clemson. Signed for $1.75 million, he caught 27 passes and scored four touchdowns for the Tigers as a freshman. Longtime Royals scout Art Stewart says the only high school player comparable to Crosby over the last two decades is Ken Griffey. Crosby has a quick bat and feet to match, and his power-speed combination was the best available in the 2001 draft. He covers a lot of ground in center field, where his arm is average. No matter how athletic prospects may be, though, they almost never develop unless they concentrate on baseball. Crosby isn't close to doing that. His competition in high school wasn't particularly strong, intensifying his need for pro at-bats. Some scouts question his swing. Crosby won't rejoin the organization until mid-May. He likely will make his pro debut in Spokane before returning to Clemson in August. He has NFL first-round potential, which further clouds his future.