2027 LHP Roy Kim looks to bring competitiveness to the mound at Stanford
Stanford baseball has a talented arm coming to The Farm in 2027 left-handed pitcher Roy Kim out of Great Oak High School in Temecula, California. Kim took the time to share his thoughts on what he’ll bring to The Farm and what he’s most looking forward to about being a Cardinal.
For as long as he had his eyes set on college, Stanford has always been the goal for Kim. He loves the combination of elite academics and elite baseball. He feels right at home on The Farm and knows it’s where he wants to be.
“Stanford has been my dream school since I was a kid,” Kim explained. “I always admired the world class education and the top tier baseball program in the country. For me, that’s the perfect balance. From my first conversations with the coaching staff, I felt a genuine connection. At the end of the day, it just felt like home, and I felt it was the place where I could grow into the best version of myself.”
Given that he’s a pitcher, pitching coach Thomas Eager has been the main person on the coaching staff recruiting Kim. Kim feels like he’s developed a great relationship with Eager and looks forward to growing under his coaching.
“Coach Eager has been a huge part of this whole process, and I’ve absolutely loved him from the moment we met,” Kim said. “He’s easy to talk to, he has great relationships which each one of his players while also holding them to a very high standard. He’s knowledgeable and passionate about the game especially when it comes to pitching. Having that kind of relationship with a coach made my decision to come to Stanford even easier.”
Touching on head coach David Esquer, while he hasn’t gotten to know him as well has he has Eager, Kim is well aware of what Esquer has accomplished. He looks forward to growing under his coaching as well.
“I haven’t spoken much to coach Esquer but what I like most about Coach Esquer is his passion for the game and for his players,” Kim said. “He’s been at Stanford for a long time, so he really understands the program’s tradition and culture.”
What Eager most likes about Kim is how competitive he is and the mindset with which he carries himself on the mound. Kim is confident that his mentality will carry him along way so long as he can continue to improve his velocity.
“Coach Eager has told me he really likes my competitiveness and the way I carry myself on the mound,” Kim explained. “He’s mentioned my work ethic, my demeanor, and how I approach the game. I’m always ready to compete, he believes I can bring that mindset to the program.
“I’ve always been the type of pitcher who works efficiently and keeps hitters off balance with good off-speed and command. Right now, I’m working on the velocity aspect of the game but I’m not looking to rush it. I’m trusting the process, putting in the work, making sure I stay consistent and maintaining my strengths as well.”
On the academic side, Kim is hoping to study something in the realm of business or economics. He loves the Stanford campus and looks forward to thriving in the classroom in addition to finding success on the mound.
“I’m leaning towards studying something in the finance, business, or economics field. I’ve always been interested in that area,” Kim said. “I’m impressed every time I’m on campus. The campus itself is beautiful. It feels like a place where I can be challenged academically while also building strong relationships on and off the field.”
Looking ahead to the rest of his high school career, Kim wants to prepare himself as much as possible for what lies ahead at Stanford. If he can help his Great Oak reach their full potential as a team, he knows that will translate over to Stanford:
“As I finish my high school career, my goals are to compete at big events like the All-American Games and Area Code Games, where I can challenge myself against top talent. But beyond that, my biggest focus is continuing to develop every part of my game and myself as a player. My goal is to be ready to make a big impact at Stanford and be a big part of the team’s success.”
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