Joe Rock #17

Joe’s uncle is a pilot for Delta Airlines and his mother previously worked for American Airlines…he chose to attend Ohio University because of the school’s strong aviation program… if he wasn’t playing baseball, he has said he would pursue a career as a pilot...A week after his mother, Cindy, passed away in 2021, Joe threw the only no-hitter of his collegiate career, a seven-inning effort against Morehead State...After being drafted by the Rockies, Joe said he “heard it all” when it came to team-related nicknames and puns based off his last name...Joe has referred to Spokane, Washington as his favorite stop during his minor league career because of its abundance of outdoor activities… he and his trainer enjoyed frequent fishing trips to Idaho on team off days...He has closely studied the mechanics of fellow southpaws Chris Sale and Josh Hader to help perfect his own delivery...Joe and his wife, Kendra, were married in January 2025. Selected by the Rockies in Competitive Balance Round B (No. 68 overall) of the 2021 First-Year Play Draft out of Ohio University…became the highest-drafted Bobcat since Dave Tobik (No. 57) in 1974.

2025

Made his Major League debut on June 28 at BAL, his first of three outings with the Rays across three stints (June 28–July 6, July 31–Aug. 1 and Sept. 6-10)…after yielding two runs across two IP in his MLB debut, tossed a combined 5.2 scoreless frames with seven SO in his next two outings...On July 31 at NYY, became the ninth Rays pitcher to toss three scoreless innings of relief (or more) in a game within his first two career appearances, first since Braden Bristo on April 13, 2023 vs. BOS…was the third to turn the trick on the road, joining Justin Marks (Sept. 9, 2016 at NYY) and Franklin Nunez (Aug. 18, 2004 vs. ANA)…fanned five batters, joining Chris Ellis (7) on Aug. 17, 2021 vs. BAL as the only Rays to accomplish the feat while collecting five SO or more...Held opponents 3-for-18 (.167) on his secondary pitches (slider, four-seamer, changeup)...Went 3-7 with a 5.21 ERA (96.2IP, 56ER) over a career-high 32 appearances (15 starts) with Triple-A Durham…in 13 outings from July 18– Aug. 30, pitched to a 2.16 ERA (16.2IP, 4ER).

2024

Went 7-8 with a 4.58 ERA (139.2IP, 71ER) and 132 SO in 27 appearances (23GS) for Triple-A Durham…was on the temporary inactive list from June 21-26...Was one of 13 pitchers in the minors and the only Triple-A hurler to collect 130+ strikeouts while issuing 35 walks or fewer…produced a career-best 5.7 percent walk rate...Ranked fourth in the International League in innings, seventh in ERA, strikeouts and WHIP (1.40), and ninth in opp. average (.284)…Ranked highly among Rays farmhands in innings (fourth), strikeouts (seventh) and starts (T7th)…Received a non-roster invitation to Rockies Spring Training for the first time…traded to the Rays in exchange for Greg Jones on March 21...Went 4-5 with a 5.00 ERA (86.1IP, 48ER) over his first 18 outings (15GS) through the end of July...Over six starts in August, went 2-1 with a 3.31 ERA (35.1IP, 13ER) and 35 SO, working five innings or more in each outing…the 35.1 IP were second most in the Minors behind Lucas Braun (37.1IP) and his 35 SO tied for fifth most in the International League...Allowed two ER or fewer in six of nine starts after the calendar flipped to August…recorded five quality starts in that span, most among Rays farmhands and tied for third most in the Minors, one shy of leaders Brandon Birdsell and Noah Cameron...On Sept. 19 at Memphis, his final outing of the year, struck out a season-high 10 batters across seven scoreless innings in a winning effort… along with his Sept. 12 outing vs. Norfolk, marked the first time he had thrown seven innings or more in consecutive starts...Ranked by Baseball America as the No. 20 prospect in the Rays system following the season.

2023

Went 1-10 with a 4.66 ERA (92.2 IP, 48 ER) across 20 starts between Double-A Hartford (19 starts) and Triple-A Albuquerque (one start)…His 4.50 ERA (90.0 IP, 45 ER) with Hartford was the lowest on the roster (min. 60 IP)...Tied for 15th in strikeouts in the Eastern League (108)...Promoted to Triple-A Albuquerque for one start on Sept. 23 vs. Oklahoma City...pitched 2.2 innings and allowed three runs on three hits with two walks and four strikeouts.

2022

Named an MiLB.com Rockies Organizational All-Star after going 7-8 with a 4.82 ERA (115.2 IP, 62 ER) and 120 strikeouts, primarily with High-A Spokane...Went 7-8 in 20 starts for Spokane, holding a 4.43 ERA in 107.2 innings (53 ER) with 109 strikeouts...Six of 22 overall starts were quality … allowed four or fewer hits in 13 starts...Tossed the only complete game shutout of his career June 5 at Vancouver in a seven-inning game…allowed one hit with two walks and nine strikeouts...Made two starts for Double-A Hartford…Totaled eight innings pitched with nine earned runs and a 10.13 ERA.

2021

Allowed one earned run through eight innings over four outings for the ACL Rockies in his first professional season...Posted a 0.75 WHIP while opponents slashed .179/.207/.179.