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61.25 Román Hurls No-Hitter for AAA New Jersey

Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2024 2:59 am
by Bob Breum
It was over six years ago that Montreal selected lanky 6'6" college junior José 'Hercules' Román with their fifth pick in the 2055 amateur draft. His future seemed bright. He was selected to the Spike Nolan All-Star team in his first season as a professional. He finished the season with a 9-4 record and a 2.91 ERA (158 OPS+), but there were some who questioned why a seasoned college pitcher was in rookie ball.

The next season brought new management up and down the Blazers organization with the arrival of the Breums in the front office, and with it a new pitching philosophy. Suddenly, Román found himself at AA Mississauga, a big leap from rookie ball. He was going to have to prove himself to a new coaching staff and adjust to a new pitching mindset. He adjusted well to AA hitting, posting 4.26 ERA (102 ERA+) his first season and a 2.41 ERA (175 ERA+) the next.

Unfortunately, Román has struggled to take the next step up the ladder. In parts of four seasons, he has gone 19-26 with a 5.15 ERA (94 ERA+) at AAA New Jersey. Scouts point to his pedestrian stuff and the lack of movement on his pitches. He has a four-pitch repertoire: an average cutter supplemented by decent curveball and slider and a mediocre changeup.

It is probable that Román will finish his career as a 4A pitcher, never seeing that cup of coffee in the big leagues. But for a single magical day at Hudson River Stadium in mid-August, Román was living the dream. It was a beautiful clear evening and a comfortable 69 degrees when Román climbed the mound to face the first place Milwaukee Choppers.

He set the side down in order the first two innings, but with two outs in the third he found himself in a jam. He hit the Choppers' 9-hole hitter and then walked their top of the order hitter on four straight pitches. This brought veteran catcher Loren Hall out to the mound to settle him down. Whatever he said must've worked, as Román struck out the next hitter, Hakim Muthuri, on four pitches.

He faced the minimum in innings four and five but again struggled with two outs in the sixth. Muthuri was back in the batter's box, and he wasn't going to be retired on four pitches this time. In an epic nine pitch at-bat that saw Muthari foul multiple pitches straight back, Román surrendered a walk. But no mound visit was necessary this time; he retired the next hitter on a routine ground ball to second base.

That was the last base runner for Milwaukee. Román threw the first no-hitter of his career, using 109 pitches and striking out four. When the final batter grounded out to shortstop, catcher Hall ran to the mound and leaped into Román's arms.

Román may or may not make the big leagues. But he'll never forget that balmy August night in New Jersey.