Gianni
Royer

Holy Cross commit. Royer made 2023 a season to remember, being named the Player of the Year in the North Suburban Conference while also setting the school career record for hits, runs scored and stolen bases. In 116 at-bats, Royer recorded a .491 batting average with eight home runs, four triples, 12 doubles, 28 RBIs, 48 runs scored, 22 strikeouts to just nine walks, an OBP of .573, SLG % of .871, OPS of 1.444 and 29 stolen bases.

Holy Cross commit. Lake Forest went 3-1 on the week with Royer going 11-for-14 (.786) with four home runs, two doubles, nine RBIs and nine runs scored. He went a perfect 4-for-4 with two home runs, a double, two RBIs and two runs scored in their loss to Lake Zurich. In their win over Lake Zurich, he went 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBIs, three runs scored and two walks. Royer went 3-for-4 with a home run, double, four RBIs and three runs scored in their 16-0 win over Deerfield.

Holy Cross commit. Royer went 3-for-4 with two triples, two RBIs, and two runs scored. He recorded his 100th career hit on a triple in the third inning of their 7-1 win over Lakes.

Season Stats:
.438 BA, 4 HR, 4 3B, 6 2B, 18 SB

5-foot-11, 168-pound frame with wiry strength and athleticism attached. Hit towards the top of a talented Hitters 2023 lineup and performed throughout the weekend. Repeats a short, compact right-handed swing with ease and showed more juice to the pull-side than we’d seen in the past; drove a few balls deep to left field and homered that way as well. Quality defender in the outfield with advanced arm strength to pair. Was a winner at the Illinois’ Preseason All-State this winter; ran a 6.56 60, peaked at 96.3 mph in BP, and reached a 90 mph max from the outfield. An arrow-up uncommitted name in the Illinois’ incoming senior class. 

Positional Profile: OF
Body: 5-10, 165-pounds. Athletic build. Lean.
Hit: RHH. Relaxed, quiet in the box, short stride. Easy swing, lets the ball travel, long path, flashed quickness in the hands, stays up the middle of the field.
Power: 96.3 max exit velocity, averaged 88.9 mph. 356’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 90 mph. Clean arm circle, quick to release from a 3/4 slot. Throws play with life out of the hand and carry through the target.
Defense: Quick, balanced footwork. Athletic feel, attack the baseball, quick exchange, plays with confidence.
Run: 6.56 runner in the 60. 

Royer was yet another dynamic outfielder in attendance who, not only ran a sub-6.60, but went on to impress in other areas. Defensively, Royer plays with rhythm and confidence, attacking the baseball with a purpose, quick release and he topped at 90 mph to home. Despite his lean 5-foot-10, 165-pound frame, Royer put up noteworthy batted-ball numbers while staying extremely quiet and easy throughout his swing. His best batted ball traveled 356 feet to go along with a max exit velocity of 96.3 mph and an average of 88.9.

Positional Profile: OF/2B
Body: 5-9, 162-pounds. Athletic build.
Hit: R. Simple, balance stance, vertical bat to start, bat tilt trigger, short stride. Short to the baseball with a slight uphill swing, quick hands, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 91.8 max exit velocity, averaged 84.72 mph. 309’ max distance.
Arm: R. OF - 85 mph. Short, loose arm action, 3/4 slot.
Defense: Athletic movement, fluid footwork, plays to the baseball, soft hands, clean transfer.
Run: 6.69 runner in the 60. Best 60 time of the event.

Royer hit in the three-hole for Hitters Baseball’s 2023 squad throughout the PBR at The Rock Fall Championships, swinging a competitive right-handed bat with loose hands and wrists that generate bat speed and a line-drive profile – and he didn’t strike out at The Rock, either. He’s athletic and it works well in the outfield, as a steady and reliable prospect to know headed into the offseason.

Royer made the most of his PBR event debut, and we’ll pass on our findings here to the rest of our team. Royer impacts the ball well for a lean 5-foot-9 prospect – he averaged an exit speed of 87.1 mph which was among the day’s best, with a 91.7 high. He also ran a 6.92 and topped 83 mph to home.

Positional Profile: 2B/OF
Body: 5-9, 160-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Balanced stance, leg lift and hang trigger, subtle hand load, maintains strong balance throughout. Quick swing, short to the baseball with slight uphill plane through contact, above average bat speed for his age.
Power: 91.68 max exit velocity, averaged 87.14 mph. 278’ max distance.
Arm: RH. C -  mph. INF - 82 mph. OF - 83 mph. Over the top slot, short arm action, showed carry at times.
Defense: Actions play more naturally on the infield, glove hand works out front, left of center and funnels quickly to slot. Feet play through the baseball and athletically. Outfield actions work through the side of the baseball with shuffle through transfer.
Run: 6.92 runner in the 60. Above average runner.