Carson Roccaforte
OF | Bats/Throws: L/L | 5' 11" 195LBS | Age: 22
Draft: 2023 | Rd: CB-B, #66, Kansas City Royals | University of Louisiana at Lafayette
MLB Pipeline Rank
ROYALS: No. 28 |
PA AB R H HR SB AVG OBP SLG OPS
2024 535 471 59 98 10 34 .208 .293 .342 .635
Career Minors 673 587 81 132 10 50 .225 .314 .351 .665
AVG HR SB OPS
2024 .208 10 34 .635
Career Minors .225 10 50 .665
  • ▾

Standard Minor League Batting Statistics

SeasonTmLGLGPAABRH2B3BHRRBIBBSOSBCSHBPAVGOBPSLGOPS
2023 2 Teams Minors 31 138 116 22 34 7 2 0 15 19 34 16 3 1 .293 .391 .388 .779
2023 ACL Royals ACL ROK 4 16 15 3 8 1 0 0 3 0 3 5 0 0 .533 .500 .600 1.100
2023 Columbia Fireflies CAR A 27 122 101 19 26 6 2 0 12 19 31 11 3 1 .257 .377 .356 .733
2024 Quad Cities River Bandits MID A+ 122 535 471 59 98 23 5 10 62 56 139 34 13 3 .208 .293 .342 .635
ACL Royals ACL ROK 4 16 15 3 8 1 0 0 3 0 3 5 0 0 .533 .500 .600 1.100
Quad Cities River Bandits MID A+ 122 535 471 59 98 23 5 10 62 56 139 34 13 3 .208 .293 .342 .635
Columbia Fireflies CAR A 27 122 101 19 26 6 2 0 12 19 31 11 3 1 .257 .377 .356 .733

Scouting Report

draft

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45 

After having two position players selected in the top five rounds of the previous 15 Drafts, Louisiana-Lafayette could match that total this year with Roccaforte and catcher Julian Brock. One of just three NCAA Division I players to reach 15 homers and 25 steals in 2022, he has changed his approach since seeming overmatched by wood bats in the Cape Cod League last summer. Though he's not hitting for nearly as much power, scouts still appreciate his hitting ability and athleticism, which earn him some Andrew Benintendi comparisons. 

Roccaforte had a more leveraged left-handed swing last year, when he drove the ball with authority to all fields. This spring, he's using a flatter stroke and both his strikeout and ground-ball rates have risen. If he can make adjustments, he has the potential to be a solid hitter with average power, and he did rank fourth in NCAA Division I with 26 doubles.

Roccaforte has plus speed and looks to swipe bags and take extra bases. A right fielder as a freshman and a first baseman as a sophomore, he has made a nice transition to center field in 2023. With his quickness and instincts, he's a solid defender with an average arm in center.


2024

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 40

Roccaforte became the highest-drafted player from Louisiana-Lafayette since 1995 when the Royals took him in the supplemental second round (No. 66 overall) in 2023. His 26 doubles in his final season as a Ragin’ Cajun ranked fourth-best in Division I ball, and when he begin pro ball later that summer, he continued the momentum. He went 8-for-15 with five stolen bases in Rookie ball before finishing the year in Single-A Columbia with a .733 OPS.

Possessing good bat-to-ball skills, Roccaforte is more of a gap-to-gap hitter than home run slugger, especially early on in his career. His hands are high in his compact setup at the plate, and he has a leg kick, but it’s a smooth movement with a good bat path. Roccaforte might be a tick behind other outfielders in the system in terms of pure hitability right now, but his overall game is more well-rounded because he plays center field and can stick there. He’s not a burner out there, but he moves better than he looks, with good instincts and jumps and a keen perception of where the ball is going to be. That makes him an above-average defender with an average arm, so he’ll likely play all three outfield spots. He also has good speed and instincts on the bases.

Roccaforte will need to hit more to reach and stick in the big leagues, especially after a rough start at High-A Quad Cities, but his defense will carry him far. He projects as a fourth outfielder.


2023

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45 

After having two position players selected in the top five rounds of the previous 15 Drafts, Louisiana-Lafayette nearly match that total this year with Roccaforte and catcher Julian Brock (eighth round). One of just three NCAA Division I players to reach 15 homers and 25 steals in 2022, he has changed his approach since seeming overmatched by wood bats in the Cape Cod League last summer. Though he's not hitting for nearly as much power, scouts still appreciate his hitting ability and athleticism, which earn him some Andrew Benintendi comparisons. The Royals selected him 66th overall in July and signed him below slot at $897,500.

Roccaforte had a more leveraged left-handed swing last year, when he drove the ball with authority to all fields. This spring, he's using a flatter stroke and both his strikeout and ground-ball rates have risen. If he can make adjustments, he has the potential to be a solid hitter with average power, and he did rank fourth in NCAA Division I with 26 doubles.

Roccaforte has plus speed and looks to swipe bags and take extra bases. A right fielder as a freshman and a first baseman as a sophomore, he has made a nice transition to center field in 2023. With his quickness and instincts, he's a solid defender with an average arm in center.


Transactions

Team Date Transaction
04/03/2024 OF Carson Roccaforte assigned to Quad Cities River Bandits from Northwest Arkansas Naturals.
03/25/2024 OF Carson Roccaforte assigned to Northwest Arkansas Naturals from Columbia Fireflies.
03/15/2024 OF Carson Roccaforte assigned to Kansas City Royals.
03/07/2024 Kansas City Royals Prospects activated OF Carson Roccaforte.
08/07/2023 OF Carson Roccaforte assigned to Columbia Fireflies from ACL Royals.
08/01/2023 OF Carson Roccaforte assigned to ACL Royals.
07/18/2023 Kansas City Royals signed OF Carson Roccaforte.
06/14/2023 OF Carson Roccaforte assigned to College Workout.