Sean Roby, CIF
DOB: July 8, 1998
BATS: R  /  THROWS: R
ACQUIRED: Drafted 12th Round (#346), 2018
LAST LEVEL: Low-A
VOLATILITY: High

Lev
G
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
SB
CS
BB
SO
BA
OBP
SLG
OPS
2019
2 Teams
A--A
56
226
42
65
12
3
5
47
1
0
29
70
.288
.367
.434
.801
2019
Augusta
A
19
75
11
14
5
1
3
13
0
0
4
30
.187
.228
.400
.628
2019
Salem-Keizer
A-
37
151
31
51
7
2
2
34
1
0
25
40
.338
.429
.450
.880
All Levels (2 Seasons)
101
389
71
112
20
4
10
70
1
1
46
106
.288
.364
.437
.801

See Full Stats Here

GiantFutures Ranks: #3 Third Base

Performance: As a Junior College draftee in 2017, Roby was held in extended spring training for each of his first two professional seasons.  In 2019, he had a bit of a breakout time in Salem-Keizer, where he hit slashed .338/.429/.450 over 37 games with the Volcanoes, and then got 19 games in Augusta, where he didn’t hit well, but he hit more home runs (3) than he did in nearly twice the games at Salem-Keizer (2 home runs).  He also struck out 30 times in 79 plate appearances at Augusta, a crazy 38% strikeout rate.

The power is a tantalizing bit of Roby’s game, and although it didn’t show up in games much in that 2019 season, he won the Northwest League’s home run derby at their All-Star game.  Now 22, it’s been reported he showed more power in the Instructional League in the fall of 2020.

Strengths and Weaknesses: Coming out of the draft, power was Roby’s calling card in Junior College, where he averaged just about one home run in every ten at-bats (22 in 222).  He hasn’t shown it as much in games as of yet, but the tease of right-handed power remains Roby’s top tool.  However, it comes with a strikeout risk.  As noted, Roby hit more home runs in Augusta, but struck out at a ridiculous clip doing so.

However, he still has a well-rounded bat, although he’s had trouble hitting a lot of ground balls.  It’s also been noted that Roby has an excellent mindset, and so far has shown that he has been pretty unshakable in challenges he’s faced.

Roby is average in the field at third base.  He doesn’t have ideal range at third, but he has good hands and an average arm to work with.  Because of his profile, he’ll get time at first base as well, where he played three games total over his two seasons so far.  He’s a below average runner.

2021 Outlook: Roby’s 2020 had him impressing both at Instructional League and the aborted Spring Training early in the year, and the Giants will probably push him more than his third base peers.  I expect him to start the season in High-A Eugene where his goal will be to do more with his power than win home run derbies.

Future Profile: His 12th round draft status keeps the expectations on Roby low, but he’s going to get opportunities to show off more.  His absolute ceiling will be as an everyday player at one infield corner or the other, ideally at third base.  However, he may find a role as a corner infield swing man and power-hitting option on the bench if he can’t get to that full ceiling.