In the Off-Season: Ryan Royster
AquaSox Outfielder Ryan Royster led Everett on the field and off in 2009, and was named to the 2009 Northwest League All-Star team for his impressive showing with the AquaSox. Royster batted .325 with the AquaSox, with a .563 slugging percentage and added 11 doubles, seven home runs -one of which was a grand slam, and 27 RBI in 41 games in Everett.
The 2008 13th round pick out of UC Davis also appeared in eight games for the Clinton LumberKings of the Midwest League. While with the LumberKings, Royster hit .333 with three doubles, two home runs, and seven RBI.
AquaSox: What is your main focus in the off-season?
Ryan Royster: I'm focused on getting healthy first and foremost and get ready for a big 2010 season. I also started my own business called Pro Player Baseball Instruction. We operate in Northern California and in the greater Phoenix area. We provide first class instruction for youth athletes and all of our instructors are professional ball players.
AquaSox: What does a typical day in the off-season look like for you?
Royster: I wake up at 7:10am in my cozy hotel bed. Throw on jeans and a collared shirt and head downstairs for our step above a continental breakfast...usually grab yogurt (strawberry) a blueberry muffin or a bagel. Then I walk to the Peoria complex and start my rehab. After rehab I grab lunch then head to my office aka the computer in the lobby of my hotel. My computer crashed in October so I was running my business as user "Hotel Guest" on the lobby computer, having potential corporate sponsors send me faxes to the front desk and so on....but my computer is fixed now thanks to my host dad! I make phone calls, emails, and work on business stuff for hours and that's pretty much my day.
AquaSox: What activities do you enjoy in your spare time?
Royster: I do make a little time for video games like MVP baseball, I watch Curb Your Enthusiasm, Cash Cab and Jeopardy to keep the brain sharp, read business books and articles at Barnes and Noble, and think of nicknames for myself (which consists of me somehow adding "Royce" to other peoples names...some of my aliases include Ichiroyce, President Baroyce Obama, Roycey Henderson, Broyce Wayne (the Dark Knight) etc.
*Editors note: If you have a good nickname idea for Ryan, send him a Twitter message (twitter.com/youngroyce). The best idea will win an autographed item from Ryan himself!*
AquaSox: When do you start working out again and head back for Spring Training?
Royster: I am lifting now and will get going full speed ahead in December. I will be back in Peoria in mid-January to prepare for spring training and make sure the shoulder is 100%.
AquaSox: What did you enjoy about Everett in 2009?
Royster: The team chemistry was great we had a good mix of guys and we had a lot of fun.
AquaSox: What was your best moment as an AquaSox player?
Royster: My best moment with the AquaSox was the Bottom of the 8th, two outs, full count, tie game grand slam against Yakima.
AquaSox: Where do you hope to start the 2010 season?
Royster: Each year my goal is to improve my game and advance in the organization. I don't worry about things that are outside of my control. Where I end up next season is an organizational decision. But I can control my preparation and work to put myself in the best position to succeed
AquaSox: What are your goals for 2010?
Royster: Just to continue to improve. I feel like I am just scratching the surface of what I can do, God has been good and my 2010 is really dedicated to honoring God and finding new ways to bring him glory.
Quick Hits
Favorite restaurant in Seattle/Everett: Wasabi Bistro
Best minor league stadium: Everett Memorial...Go Frogs!
Best minor league city: Van-City Canada is always fun
Favorite MLB team: The M's
Favorite Current/All-time MLB player: Ken Griffey Jr.
Super Bowl Prediction: Cowboys 34-Colts 31
Want to keep up with Ryan? Follow him on:
Twitter: www.twitter.com/youngroyce
YouTube: www.youtube.com/youngroyce2
Check out this week's edition of Meet Your AquaSox - Ryan Royster on the AquaSox YouTube page.
Click Here to see more AquaSox in the Off-Season Interviews.