On February 9, 2021, Roycroft signed his first professional contract with the Joliet Slammers of the Frontier League.[6] He signed after attending a tryout where he threw a 97 mile per hour fastball.[7] He made 26 appearances for Joliet in 2021, logging a 4–4 record and 5.81 ERA with 62 strikeouts across 69+2⁄3 innings pitched. Roycroft improved his performance the following season, recording a 1.08 ERA across 13 games for the Slammers in the first half of 2022.[8]
St. Louis Cardinals
Roycroft on the mound against Toronto, 2025.
On June 29, 2022, Roycroft signed a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals.[9] He finished the year with the High-A Peoria Chiefs, with a 4.50 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 32 innings across 19 appearances.[3]
Roycroft began the 2023 season Peoria and was promoted twice, moving up to the Double-A Springfield Cardinals in early May and the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds early July. In 46 games as a reliever for the three affiliates, he had a 7–8 record and 5.86 ERA with 64 strikeouts across 63 innings.[3][10]
Roycroft began the 2024 season with Memphis. On May 6, 2024, Roycroft was added to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[4] He made his MLB debut the following night, striking out 2 batters but allowing a line drive home run to Pete Alonso.[7][11][12]
Roycroft won his first MLB game on June 13, getting the final two outs in the sixth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates.[13] He finished his rookie season with a 1–2 record, 4.19 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 34+1⁄3 innings.[14]
Personal life
Roycroft's parents are Margaret and Don. He has a brother, Corey, and sisters Jazmine and Makense.[2]
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