Royce Ring
| IP | 68 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 5.294 |
| WHIP | 1.574 |
| BB/9 | 5.559 |
| SO/9 | 7.279 |
- Full name Roger Royce Ring
- Born 12/21/1980 in La Mesa, CA
- Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: L / Throws: L
- School San Diego State
- Debut 04/29/2005
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Drafted in the 1st round (18th overall) by the Chicago White Sox in 2002 (signed for $1,600,000).
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Ring is the nation's best closer. He has three pitches he can throw effortlessly for strikes: an 88-91 mph fastball that tops at 94, a knee-buckling curveball and a changeup that has improved significantly this year. He resembles Randy Myers with his arm action, body type (6-foot-1, 215 pounds) and mound demeanor. He is a bulldog and wants the ball with games on the line. He led the Mountain West Conference with nine saves in 2001 in his introduction to the closer role, and his 15 saves this season ranked second in the country. A 41st-round pick in 1999 out of a San Diego high school, Ring should be picked late in the first round this year.
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The key player for the Mets in the Roberto Alomar trade with the White Sox, Ring has spent nearly his entire career as a reliever. As an amateur, he set San Diego State records for single-season and career saves, and he was dominant in relief for Team USA. He also pitched a scoreless inning for the national team at the Olympic qualifying tournament in Panama in November. Ring used to touch 94 mph with his fastball, but as a pro he more often sits in the high 80s and occasionally touches 90. His fastball remains effective, however, because it has plenty of movement. He also has a sweeping, 73-75 mph slider that's tough on lefties. Ring needs to improve his command and conditioning. When he came to the Mets, they tried to use him in multiple-inning stints, but he didn't respond well. He has a chunky physique, and it's possible that he would gain stamina and maybe a couple of miles on his fastball if he lost weight. Though he has served as a closer in college and in the minors, he projects as a lefty set-up man unless he regains velocity. With the Mets needing bullpen help, Ring will have a shot to make the big league club in spring training. -
Armed with a mid-90s fastball and a theme song (Metallica's "Sad But True"), Ring was one of the best shows in college baseball in 2002. He made a name for himself by sprinting in from the bullpen, pawing at the mound and then throwing as hard as possible. That formula helped him set San Diego State records for saves in a season and career, and got him drafted 16th overall in June. Ring is a perpetual motion machine who comes at hitters. His low-90s fastball can be an overpowering pitch. His curveball and changeup are also effective. He wants the ball with the game on the line. His control isn't considered a major problem, but Ring will get to Comiskey Park quicker if he cuts down on his walks. His weight was an issue at San Diego State and bears watching. College closers drafted in the first round don't have the greatest history as pros, but Ring could be the exception to that rule. The Sox hope he'll take the fast track to the majors, but there's a crowd of lefty relievers ahead of him, headed by Damaso Marte, Dave Sanders and Arnie Munoz. Ring could open 2003 in Double-A and may get a look in Chicago in September.
