Rocky Roquet

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Chicago Cubs #26 prospect in 2008
  Few college careers have been more circuitous than Roquet's. He went to Florida State as an outfielder, then redshirted as a freshman after converting to the mound that spring. He subsequently spent one year each at Santa Ana (Calif.) JC and Northeast Texas CC, then two at Cal Poly before signing as a fifth-year senior free agent prior to the 2006 draft. He reached Double-A by June in his first full pro season, in part because the Cubs were trying to advance him quickly because he already was 24. Roquet is a two-pitch reliever, operating with a 90-94 mph fastball that touches 97 on occasion and an 80-83 mph slider. His fastball doesn't have much life and his easy delivery lacks deception, so it's not as overpowering as its velocity might suggest. Hitters also can gear up for hard stuff because Roquet doesn't have an offspeed option, and his command wavers. He's still picking up the nuances of pitching, such as fielding his position and holding runners. Opponents stole 15 bases in as many tries against him in 2007. Chicago tried to further expedite Roquet's development by sending him to the Arizona Fall League, but he had to leave early after coming down with a sports hernia that required surgery. He should be ready for spring training and an assignment to Triple-A.
• 
  Ranked Chicago Cubs #26 prospect in 2007
  Roquet began his college career as an outfielder at Florida State, redshirting as a freshman when he became a full-time pitcher in his second semester. He later transferred to Santa Ana (Calif.) JC, Northeast Texas CC and finally Cal Poly, from where he signed as a fifth-year senior free agent before the 2006 draft. Roquet has two plus pitches, a fastball that runs from 91-97 mph and a hard slider. He has a strong frame that bodes well for his durability, as does his ability to throw strikes and keep his pitch counts down. Used primarily as a reliever in college, he doesn't have much experience with a changeup. Roquet gets hit when he opens up too soon his delivery, allowing hitters a better look at the ball and reducing the quality of his stuff. The Cubs moved him to the hitter's side of the rubber and were pleased with the early results. He lost three weeks in his pro debut when he stepped on a baseball while running and twisted his ankle. Roquet will be 24 this season, so Chicago will want to accelerate his development. He could open his first full season in high Class A.