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Roa’s On A Roll
First Place Red Baron’s Ace UnbeatenJonathan Roybal
MinorLeagueNews.com06.06.02 – Joe Roa is flying high these days, and he has great reason to be. His team the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons are in first place of their division and on top of the International League with a 36-23 record.
Oh, did I mention the he is unbeaten this season with an 8-0 record, while sporting the fifth lowest ERA in the league at 2.45.
Things weren’t always looking this good for Joe, in fact just three years ago he was out of baseball entirely.
RHP Joe Roa
After battling his way up through the minors and making it to the big show in 1995 with Cleveland, followed up by two more Major League seasons in '96& '97, Joe began feeling the pain.
After struggling through the 1998 season, posting a 12-9 record for AAA Fresno, Joe decided it was time for every pitchers nightmare…the dreaded Tommy John surgery.
Joe missed the entire 1999 season because of an elbow injury his surgeon stated was one of the worst he had ever treated. It was possible he would never play again.
Though he faced an uphill climb to regain his past form, Joe’s faith in God and in himself never wavered.
Fast-forward to 2002, healthy and at full strength, Roa is making up for lost time against the International League batters, and is just one step away from the majors again.
I had a chance to speak to Joe recently and he gave us details about his great start, his estimation of the talent level in the minors, and what gives him motivation.
MinorLeagueNews: What has allowed you to get off to such a great start this season?
Joe Roa: The main thing is, I’m trying to be consistent. I’m just sticking to what I’ve done in the past, which is to go out there and be aggressive and throw strikes. To start off 8-0, you’ve got to credit your team.MLN: What would you say are your strengths this season?
JR: My strengths are real simple. I think I can change speeds real well and locate my fastball. At the same time, I’m not very overpowering, I’m usually between 87-90 [m.p.h.]. But my biggest asset out there is still being able to locate my fastball when I need it.
MLN: As a team, the Red Barons are leading the International League in ERA, as well as having the best record in the league. What do you attribute this to?
JR: This is a really good team, a good mixture of talent and chemistry. Every time I step on the mound, I’m confident that if I do my job, which is going after hitters and throwing strikes, my teammates are going to play well behind me...and they have.
MLN: What’s the atmosphere like in the clubhouse these days?
JR: We’re very confident, as a group and as a team because we know…we know we’re real talented. We give 110% and we do the little things, whether it’s getting a guy over on offense or turning a big double play on defense. Our pitching staff knows that, and it gives us confidence to go after hitters, because our defense plays well behind us.
MLN: Who are some of the better hitters, individually or team-wise, you’ve faced this season?
JR: Well, I’m not sure if this answers the question, but I think from Double-A on… and I’ve been in the big leagues, Double-A, and Triple-A forever…I think the talent is the same from Double-A to the big leagues. Now there’s only one Barry Bonds, but I think all the guys are talented when you reach that level, especially Triple-A. No matter what team you’re facing, there’s a handful of guys that have been to the big leagues or should be in the bigs. Triple-A ball is pretty good ball; there are some good ballplayers. You’re still only one phone call away, one break away, a lot of it has to do with timing and fate. Everybody is capable of playing in the big leagues or has at one time. It’s just a matter of taking advantage of your chance when you get there, or maybe being at the right place at the right time. The situation has a lot to do with it, I believe.
MLN: Coming back after the ’99 season from Tommy John surgery, has that been the toughest challenge you have faced in your career?
JR: Absolutely. I’ve said numerous times to my wife, agent, everybody; if I get back to the big leagues this time, it would be more special than my first time. From the arm trouble, to the Tommy John…that was a battle, but my faith in God really helped. Another thing is you realize how hard it is to get up there, and once you’re there, how hard it is to stay. The first time I got called up, I thought I was always going to be there. Now the battle of getting back, and proving to these guys that I can get back there, it’s been tougher than the first time.
MLN: Is that what keeps you motivated, the fact that you were up in the majors once before?
JR: Absolutely. The taste of the big leagues was one of the best things that ever happened to me, and one of the most disappointing. It keeps me motivated because that’s where I want to be, and I’m not going to be satisfied until I can get back up there. Another thing that inspires me is my son [2 year-old Zachary, born in 1999, the year Joe was out of baseball]. I want to let him see me pitch in the big leagues someday.
MLN: Will the fans in Philadelphia get to see you pitch in a Phillies uniform this season?
JR: Well, I hope so. I’m doing everything that I can control. I’m prepared every fifth day to go out and give all that I can give. I just pray that I stay healthy, and continue to do the things I need to do to be ready if I get that call.
Given the current status in Philly – the lowest team ERA in the N.L.- joined with Joe’s focus, ability, and determination…If I were Joe, I wouldn’t stray too far from the phone.
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