Roenicke tries to harness impressive arm

Reliever Josh Roenicke has been a bright spot during a dismal season for the 51s' pitching staff.

The hard-throwing right-hander is tied for the team lead in wins, with an 8-0 record, and his 3.40 ERA is the lowest on the squad.

"His ceiling is unlimited with his arm," Las Vegas manager Dan Rohn said of Roenicke, a power pitcher who was once clocked at 99 mph. "If he learns how to harness all his pitches, he should be in pretty good shape.

"He's got to be more fine at the big league level. You can't walk guys there."

Roenicke, 28, was acquired by the Toronto Blue Jays from the Cincinnati Reds last season -- along with third baseman Edwin Encarnacion and pitcher Zach Stewart -- in a trade for third baseman Scott Rolen.

Roenicke compiled a 2.70 ERA last year for the Reds, with four walks and 14 strikeouts, in 13 1/3 innings. But he has struggled with the Blue Jays, finishing last season with a 7.13 ERA while walking 12 and striking out 19 in 17 2/3 innings.

Called up from Las Vegas on April 27 this year, Roenicke went 1-0 with a 4.97 ERA for Toronto and allowed 11 hits in 12 2/3 innings, with 12 strikeouts and 11 walks.

"I threw really well with the Reds up there the last two years, but I haven't thrown very well with the Blue Jays," Roenicke said Wednesday before Las Vegas' sixth consecutive loss, a 5-1 defeat to the Reno Aces at Cashman Field. "I've been walking too many people. I've got to get back to throwing strikes up there."

The 6-foot-3-inch Roenicke, who was sent back to Las Vegas on June 2, has fared better for the 51s, walking 23 and fanning 53 in 53 innings.

"I feel good. I threw all three pitches down here for strikes," he said. "Hopefully I can bring it up there and do the same."

Raised in Nevada City, Calif., Roenicke walked on with the UCLA football team his freshman year and didn't even play baseball. When he did play baseball for the Bruins his final three years, he saw action mostly in center field.

Despite logging only 15 1/3 innings on the mound in his college career, Roenicke was drafted as a relief pitcher by the Reds in the 10th round of the 2006 draft.

Following in the footsteps of his father, Gary, who played 12 seasons in the majors, and his uncle, Ron, who played eight, Roenicke made his major league debut with Cincinnati in just his second full professional season in 2008.

"I was always confident if I could just stick to one sport, let alone one position, and focus on pitching, I'd be successful, and I have so far," said Roenicke, who excelled as a closer in the Reds' farm system before pitching in middle relief and as a setup guy for Toronto.

Rohn said Roenicke has the potential to close in the big leagues.

"I think later in his career his stuff's good enough to be a closer," he said. "It's just a matter of commanding all his pitches."

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354.