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Christian Roa

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Christian Roa
Roa with the Dayton Dragons in 2022
Houston Astros
Pitcher
Born: (1999-04-02) April 2, 1999 (age 27)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 6, 2025, for the Miami Marlins
MLB statistics
(through April 16, 2026)
Win–loss record0–1
Earned run average3.86
Strikeouts9
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams

Christian Michael Roa (born April 2, 1999) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Houston Astros organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Miami Marlins.

Amateur career

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Roa attended Memorial High School in Houston, Texas.[1][2] He played both baseball and football.[3] Undrafted in the 2017 Major League Baseball draft, he enrolled at Texas A&M University where he played college baseball for the Aggies.

In 2018, Roa's freshman season, he pitched in 14 games (with one start), pitching to a 4.30 ERA with 12 strikeouts over 14+2⁄3 innings.[4] That summer, he played in the Northwoods League for the La Crosse Loggers.[5] As a sophomore in 2019, he appeared in 17 games (making ten starts), going 3–2 with a 3.56 ERA and 46 strikeouts over 48 innings.[6][7] On March 19, 2019, he was named the SEC Pitcher of the Week after throwing seven scoreless innings against the second ranked Vanderbilt Commodores.[8] In 2020, Roa returned to the Aggies starting rotation. He started four games, pitching to a 2–1 record and a 5.85 ERA over twenty innings before the season was ended early due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[9]

Professional career

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Cincinnati Reds

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The Cincinnati Reds selected Roa in the second round with the 48th overall pick in the 2020 MLB draft.[10][11][12] He signed with the Reds for $1.5 million.[13][14] He did not play a minor league game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the pandemic.[15] To begin the 2021 season, he was assigned to the Daytona Tortugas of the Low-A Southeast.[16] He was placed on the injured list in May with a right elbow flexor mass strain, and did not return to play until mid-July.[17] In early August, he was promoted to the Dayton Dragons of the High-A Central.[18] Over 15 games (13 starts) between the two clubs, Roa went 4–3 with a 3.53 ERA and 67 strikeouts over 58+2⁄3 innings.[19] He opened the 2022 season on the injured list, but was activated in early May and assigned to Dayton.[20] In late August, he was promoted to the Chattanooga Lookouts of the Double-A Southern League.[21] Over twenty starts between both teams, Roa went 6–3 with a 3.56 ERA and 102 strikeouts over ninety innings.[22] He was selected to play in the Arizona Fall League for the Glendale Desert Dogs after the season.[23]

On November 14, 2022, the Reds added Roa to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.[24] Roa opened the 2023 season with Chattanooga and was promoted to the Louisville Bats of the Triple-A International League during the season. Over 28 games (25 starts) between the two affiliates, he went 5–9 with a 5.16 ERA and 170 strikeouts over 120+1⁄3 innings.[25] Roa was optioned to Louisville to begin the 2024 season.[26] In 23 games for Louisville, he compiled a 4–5 record and 5.55 ERA with 47 strikeouts over 48+2⁄3 innings pitched. On August 19, 2024, Roa was placed on the 60-day injured list with a right shoulder sprain.[27]

Miami Marlins

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On November 1, 2024, Roa was claimed off waivers by the Miami Marlins.[28] He was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp on November 15.[29] On June 27, 2025, Roa, Matt Pushard, Anderson Pilar, and George Soriano threw a combined no-hitter against the Nashville Sounds.[30] In 47 relief appearances for Jacksonville, Roa compiled a 9–2 record and 2.83 ERA with 61 strikeouts and two saves across 57+1⁄3 innings pitched. On September 6, Roa was promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[31] He debuted the same day against the Philadelphia Phillies, pitching two innings, recording one walk and three strikeouts. Roa was optioned back to Triple-A Jacksonville on September 8.[32] On November 6, Roa was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Jacksonville.[33] He elected free agency the following day.[34]

Houston Astros

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On December 20, 2025, Roa signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros.[35] On March 25, 2026, the Astros selected Roa's contract after he made the team's Opening Day roster.[36] He made seven appearances for Houston, posting an 0-1 record and 5.19 ERA with six strikeouts across 8+2⁄3 innings pitched. On April 21, Roa was designated for assignment by the Astros.[37]

Minnesota Twins

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On April 23, 2026, Roa was claimed off of waivers by the Minnesota Twins.[38] He made three appearances for the Triple-A St. Paul Saints, struggling to a 7.71 ERA with three strikeouts across 2+1⁄3 innings pitched. On May 6, Roa was designated for assignment by the Twins.[39]

Baltimore Orioles

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On May 10, 2026, Roa was claimed off of waivers by the Baltimore Orioles, who subsequently optioned him to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides.[40] He made one appearance for Norfolk, allowing four runs on five hits across 1⁄3 of an inning. On May 15, Roa was designated for assignment by the Orioles following the acquisition of Eduarniel Núñez.[41]

Chicago Cubs

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On May 17, 2026, Roa was claimed off of waivers by the Chicago Cubs.[42] He made 10 appearances for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, posting a 1–0 record and 7.71 ERA with 20 strikeouts and two saves across 11+2⁄3 innings pitched. Roa was designated for assignment by the Cubs on June 24.[43] He elected free agency after clearing waivers on July 1.[44]

Houston Astros (second stint)

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On July 3, 2026, Roa signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros.[45]

References

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  1. ↑ Angel Verdejo (May 8, 2017). "High school baseball area playoff pairings". Laredo Morning Times. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  2. ↑ Young, Matt (May 11, 2017). "Houston's top high school baseball recruits". Connecticut Post. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Christian Roa – Baseball". Texas A&M Aggies. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Sophomore Christian Roa proving he belongs in the starting rotation". TexAgs. March 21, 2019. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Loggers Sign Two Aggies to 2018 Roster". January 8, 2018.
  6. ↑ Thompson, Cole (February 14, 2020). "Preview: The Love of Baseball Returns to College Station – Sports Illustrated". Si.com. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Texas A&M baseball: Complete 2020 projected lineup and preseason grade". NCAA.com. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Christian Roa named SEC pitcher of the week". The Eagle. March 19, 2019.
  9. ↑ "Cincinnati Reds prioritize velocity, upside in 2020 MLB Draft picks". Cincinnati.com. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  10. ↑ Elliott Lapin (June 11, 2020). "Memorial High School, Texas A&M pitcher Christian Roa drafted by Cincinnati Reds". Chron.com. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  11. ↑ Zwerneman, Brent (June 11, 2020). "Aggies' Zach DeLoach, Christian Roa drafted in second round". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  12. ↑ Jablonski, David. "Reds pick three pitchers, an outfielder and a catcher on second day of draft". springfield-news-sun.
  13. ↑ "Texas A&M's Christian Roa signs with Reds". The Eagle. July 2, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Reds, Christian Roa agree to terms". Mlb.com. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  15. ↑ "2020 Minor League Baseball season canceled". MLB.com.
  16. ↑ "Here's where the top Cincinnati Reds prospects are beginning their minor-league seasons". The Enquirer.
  17. ↑ "RedsXtra: Injuries taking toll on Cincinnati Reds farm system, top prospects".
  18. ↑ "2020 2nd Round Draft Pick Christian Roa Joins Dragons".
  19. ↑ "2022 Red Reporter Community Prospect Rankings – Jay Allen is your #6 Prospect!". January 18, 2022.
  20. ↑ "Minor league pitching injuries are a concern for Reds as they return to normal schedule".
  21. ↑ "Aguiar, Jones Join Dragons from Daytona as Roa, Wolforth Go to Chattanooga".
  22. ↑ "Christian Roa Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News". MiLB.com.
  23. ↑ "The Arizona Fall League rosters are here – and they're loaded". MLB.com.
  24. ↑ "Former Dragons Rece Hinds, Jacob Hurtubise, & Christian Roa Added to Reds 40-Man Roster".
  25. ↑ Rosecrans, C. Trent (February 9, 2024). "Who is in the Reds' rotation? Biggest Cincinnati spring training questions". The Athletic.
  26. ↑ "Reds roster cuts: Option five players to Triple-A". redsminorleagues.com. March 8, 2024. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  27. ↑ "Reds Select Julian Aguiar". MLB Trade Rumors. August 19, 2024. Retrieved March 10, 2025.
  28. ↑ "Marlins Claim Christian Roa". MLB Trade Rumors. November 1, 2024. Retrieved March 10, 2025.
  29. ↑ "Marlins Outright Christian Roa". MLB Trade Rumors. November 15, 2024. Retrieved March 10, 2025.
  30. ↑ Freeman, Clayton. "No-hitter! Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp pitchers combine on baseball gem against Nashville". The Florida Times-Union.
  31. ↑ "Marlins Select Christian Roa, Release Declan Cronin". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  32. ↑ "Marlins' Christian Roa: Sent back to minors". RotoWire. September 8, 2025. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  33. ↑ "Marlins Claim Zach Brzykcy". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  34. ↑ Eustace, A. J. (November 9, 2025). "Christian Roa Elects Free Agency". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
  35. ↑ "Astros, Christian Roa Agree To Minor League Deal". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
  36. ↑ "Astros Finalize Opening Day Roster". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
  37. ↑ "Astros Select Daniel Johnson, Designate Christian Roa For Assignment". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  38. ↑ "Twins Claim Christian Roa, Designate Eric Wagaman". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
  39. ↑ "Twins Designate Christian Roa For Assignment". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  40. ↑ "Orioles Claim Christian Roa". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
  41. ↑ "Orioles Acquire Eduarniel Núñez, Designate Christian Roa". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  42. ↑ "Cubs Claim Christian Roa". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  43. ↑ Montemuro, Meghan (June 27, 2026). "Chicago Cubs: Ben Brown explains stress reaction in neck and 2024 misdiagnoses – and another Cubs pitcher goes on IL". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 31, 2026.
  44. ↑ "Christian Roa Elects Free Agency". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved August 5, 2026.
  45. ↑ "Astros Sign Christian Roa To Minor League Deal". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved August 8, 2026.
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