HPU Baseball: Nate Roberts impressing in the Arizona Fall League

HIGH POINT, N.C. – Former High Point University baseball player and current Minnesota Twins farmhand Nate Roberts has enjoyed an impressive showing this season at the Arizona Fall League. The outfielder has been one of the top hitters in the league, leading in batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage.

Roberts has hit primarily out of the leadoff spot for the Peoria Javelinas and is hitting a league-best .474 in 17 games with multiple hits in eight contests. He is also tops in the league with a .592 on-base percentage and a .667 slugging percentage. Roberts has five doubles and two home runs as well as six stolen bases in eight attempts. The 23-year old has failed to reach base in just one game this season.

Peoria currently sits atop the Western Division with just two games remaining this season. If the Javelinas win their Division they will play in the Arizona Fall League Championship Game on Saturday, November 17.

Roberts played the 2012 regular season with the Beloit Snappers of the Midwest League, the Single-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. After dealing with an injury early in the campaign, Roberts returned to action in May and was second on the team with a .299 batting average in 76 games. The outfielder had an on-base percentage of .433 and led the team with 27 stolen bases. In three seasons as part of the Minnesota Twins organization, Roberts has batted .307 with 40 doubles and 13 homeruns and has stolen 41 bases.

The Arizona Fall League is an off-season league owned and operated by Major League Baseball which operates in October and November at six spring training complexes throughout Arizona. The league attracts many of the top prospects in minor league baseball. Most players in the league come from Double-A and Triple-A, but each club is given two exceptions for players below Double-A. The league is in place to allow prospects to improve their skills and showcase their talents in front of scouts and Major League team executives.