The career journey for Ralph Roberts has been a highway of promise dating back to his playing days in North Carolina at Cherryville High School. His path would include being drafted on three separate occasions before finally making his professional debut in 2001. In 1998, the Gastonia (NC) native was drafted out of high school in the 27th round by the San Diego Padres after leading Cherryville to the state high school championship. He did not sign with the Padres rather choosing to attend Lenoir Community College (NC) instead, where as a sophomore he would be drafted again this time by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 36th round of the 1999 MLB Amateur Draft.

After two years at Lenoir, Roberts transferred to the University of North Carolina where his first-team all-region and third-team All-American honors gained the attention of the Arizona Diamondbacks, when they selected him in the 32nd round of the 2000 MLB draft but did not sign with Arizona. Roberts, now an unrestricted free agent, would sign with the Atlanta Braves in 2001 eventually making his first professional appearance in the Appalachian League on July 14th, as a member of the Danville Braves. Roberts was released by the Braves following the 2006 season.

In 2007, Roberts pitched one season for the Macon Music (GA) a team in the now defunct South Coast League. Roberts signed with as a free agent with the Dillas in May 2008 and served in the closer role during their first of consecutive championships.