Rafael Antonio Roque (born January 1, 1972 in Cotuí, Dominican Republic)[1] is a former baseball player who pitched for three seasons, from 1998 to 2000, with the Milwaukee Brewers. Roque is currently the pitching coach for the DSL Mets2.
| Rafael Roque | |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1972-01-01) January 1, 1972 (age 50) Cotuí, Dominican Republic | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 1, 1998, for the Milwaukee Brewers | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 28, 2000, for the Milwaukee Brewers | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 5–8 |
| Earned run average | 5.36 |
| Strikeouts | 104 |
| Teams | |
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Roque began his professional baseball career in 1991 when he signed with the New York Mets minor league system.[2] He did not pitch in the minor leagues until the following season,[3] and spent six seasons in the Mets organization, winning no more than 6 games in a single season.[4] After becoming a minor league free agent, Roque signed with the Brewers organization for the 1998 season.[2] In his first year with the Brewers, he combined to win 10 games with the AA El Paso Diablos and the AAA Louisville Redbirds, recording a 5-2 record at Louisville.[4]
He was called up to the major leagues late in the 1998 season, and made his debut as a starter on August 1 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, earning a no-decision in his first start.[5] Over the course of the season, Roque had a 4-2 record with a 4.88 earned run average. Coincidentally, during his first Major League season, Roque gave up both Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa's 64th home runs.[6]
Roque was named the Brewers' Opening Day starter for the 1999 season.[7] He did not earn a win in any of his first 8 starts, and pitched out of the bullpen for much of the remainder of the season.[7] On July 5, 1999, Roque picked up the one and only save of his MLB career in impressive fashion. Roque pitched the final three innings of a 5-0 Brewers win over the Phillies. He allowed 3 hits and zero runs, striking out four hitters. He saved the game for starting pitcher Jim Abbott. [8]
Roque spent much of the 2000 season in the minor leagues[4] but did appear in four games with the Brewers over the course of the season.[2] These were his last Major League appearances. His major league career ended with a 5-8 record and a 5.36 ERA.[2]
Roque spent 2001 in the Boston Red Sox organization.[4] He then played for the Tigres de México of the Mexican League in 2002–03.[4] After one last brief comeback in Mexico in 2005, his professional career was over.[4]
Roque was named as the pitching coach for the DSL Mets2 of the New York Mets organization for the 2018 season.
Dominican Republic roster – 2015 WBSC Premier12 – 11th place | |
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