TANNER B. ROARK
Image of
Nickname:   N/A Position:   RHP
Home: N/A Team:   BLUE JAYS
Height: 6' 2" Bats:   R
Weight: 235 Throws:   R
DOB: 10/5/1986 Agent: Matt Colleran
Uniform #: 60  
Birth City: Wilmington, IL
Draft: Rangers #25 - 2008 - Out of Univ. of Illinois
YR LEA TEAM SAL(K) G IP H SO BB GS CG SHO SV W L OBA ERA
2008 FRN So. Illinois   3 10 23 11 9 3 0 0 0 0 2   21.41
2008 AZL AZL-Rangers   7 12.1 9 11 3 0 0 0 0 2 1   0.73
2008 CAL BAKERSFIELD   12 30 27 37 13 2 0 0 1 1 3   3.60
2009 TL FRISCO   5 17.2 17 9 7 4 0 0 0 1 1   4.58
2009 CAL BAKERSFIELD   29 86.2 68 91 27 9 0 0 0 10 0   2.70
2010 TL FRISCO   22 105 113 75 33 17 0 0 0 10 5   4.20
2010 EL HARRISBURG   6 36 35 33 9 6 0 0 0 1 1   2.50
2011 EL HARRISBURG   21 117 125 92 39 21 0 0 0 9 9   4.69
2012 IL SYRACUSE   28 148 161 130 47 26 1   0 6 17   4.39
2013 IL SYRACUSE   33 105.2 85 84 20 11 0 0 2 9 3   3.15
2013 NL NATIONALS   14 53.2 38 40 11 5 0 0 0 7 1 0.202 1.51
2014 NL NATIONALS $506.00 31 198.2 178 138 39 31 1 1 0 15 10 0.239 2.85
2015 EL HARRISBURG   1 2 2 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0   4.50
2015 CAR POTOMAC   1 4 3 5 0 1 0 0 0 0 0   0.00
2015 NL NATIONALS $530.00 40 111 119 70 26 12 0 0 1 4 7 0.279 4.38
2016 NL NATIONALS $543.00 34 210 173 172 73 33 0 0 0 16 10 0.228 2.83
2017 NL NATIONALS $4,315.00 32 181.1 178 166 64 30 0 0 0 13 11 0.254 4.67
2018 NL NATIONALS $6,475.00 31 180.1 181 146 50 30 0 0 0 9 15 0.262 4.34
2019 AL REDS $10,000.00 21 110.1 119 108 38 21 0 0 0 6 7 0.273 4.24
2019 AL ATHLETICS   10 55 61 50 13 10 0 0 0 4 3 0.279 4.58
Personal

  • In CLASS="highlight"> high CLASS="highlight"> school, CLASS="highlight"> Roark CLASS="highlight"> led CLASS="highlight"> Wilmington High CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> Illinois CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> two CLASS="highlight"> state CLASS="highlight"> championships, CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> 2003 CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> 2005. CLASS="highlight"> And CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> named CLASS="highlight"> MVP CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> both CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> those CLASS="highlight"> tournaments.

  • On his CLASS="highlight"> 2003 CLASS="highlight"> high CLASS="highlight"> school football CLASS="highlight"> team, CLASS="highlight"> Tanner led CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> team CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> class CLASS="highlight"> 3A CLASS="highlight"> state CLASS="highlight"> runner-up CLASS="highlight"> finish as CLASS="highlight"> quarterback CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> free CLASS="highlight"> safety.

  • Tanner CLASS="highlight"> went CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> University CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> Illinois and CLASS="highlight"> majored CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> sports CLASS="highlight"> management. CLASS="highlight"> Roark CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> second-team CLASS="highlight"> all-Big CLASS="highlight"> Ten CLASS="highlight"> Conference CLASS="highlight"> performer CLASS="highlight"> as CLASS="highlight"> an CLASS="highlight"> Illinois CLASS="highlight"> sophomore CLASS="highlight"> before CLASS="highlight"> leaving CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> team CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> academic CLASS="highlight"> reasons. CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight">

  • During CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> offseason CLASS="highlight"> before CLASS="highlight"> 2013 CLASS="highlight"> Spring CLASS="highlight"> Training, CLASS="highlight"> Tanner CLASS="highlight"> went CLASS="highlight"> 1-1 CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> 3.60 CLASS="highlight"> ERA CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> six CLASS="highlight"> starts CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> Margarita CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Venezuelan CLASS="highlight"> Winter CLASS="highlight"> League.

  • Muhammad CLASS="highlight"> Ali CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> favorite CLASS="highlight"> athlete, CLASS="highlight"> because CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> always CLASS="highlight"> stood CLASS="highlight"> up CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> what CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> believed CLASS="highlight"> in.

  • Although CLASS="highlight"> Roark CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> one CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> talented CLASS="highlight"> pitchers CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Nationals, CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> few CLASS="highlight"> years CLASS="highlight"> ago CLASS="highlight"> it CLASS="highlight"> seemed CLASS="highlight"> doubtful CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> would CLASS="highlight"> ever CLASS="highlight"> have CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> big CLASS="highlight"> league CLASS="highlight"> career. CLASS="highlight"> He CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> Triple-A CLASS="highlight"> Syracuse CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> having CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> worst CLASS="highlight"> season CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> professional CLASS="highlight"> career. CLASS="highlight"> Roark CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> blaming CLASS="highlight"> everybody CLASS="highlight"> but CLASS="highlight"> himself. CLASS="highlight"> He CLASS="highlight"> would CLASS="highlight"> get CLASS="highlight"> upset CLASS="highlight"> over CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> littlest CLASS="highlight"> things. CLASS="highlight"> If CLASS="highlight"> there CLASS="highlight"> were CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> couple CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> bloop CLASS="highlight"> hits, CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> example, CLASS="highlight"> Roark CLASS="highlight"> would CLASS="highlight"> get CLASS="highlight"> upset.

    It CLASS="highlight"> seems CLASS="highlight"> hard CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> believe CLASS="highlight"> Roark CLASS="highlight"> had CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> attitude CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> Syracuse CLASS="highlight"> because CLASS="highlight"> as CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> member CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Nationals CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> shy CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> humble CLASS="highlight"> around CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> local CLASS="highlight"> media. CLASS="highlight"> He CLASS="highlight"> always CLASS="highlight"> talks CLASS="highlight"> about CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> family CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> Illinois. CLASS="highlight"> But CLASS="highlight"> then CLASS="highlight"> Roark CLASS="highlight"> had CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> heart-to-heart CLASS="highlight"> talk CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> assistant CLASS="highlight"> general CLASS="highlight"> manager CLASS="highlight"> Doug CLASS="highlight"> Harris, CLASS="highlight"> then-manager CLASS="highlight"> Tony CLASS="highlight"> Beasley CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> then-pitching CLASS="highlight"> coach CLASS="highlight"> Greg CLASS="highlight"> Booker. CLASS="highlight"> The CLASS="highlight"> trio CLASS="highlight"> told CLASS="highlight"> Roark CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> start CLASS="highlight"> thinking CLASS="highlight"> about CLASS="highlight"> making CLASS="highlight"> each CLASS="highlight"> pitch CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> not CLASS="highlight"> worry CLASS="highlight"> about CLASS="highlight"> anything CLASS="highlight"> else. CLASS="highlight"> Roark CLASS="highlight"> can't CLASS="highlight"> control CLASS="highlight"> what CLASS="highlight"> happens CLASS="highlight"> behind CLASS="highlight"> him. CLASS="highlight"> You CLASS="highlight"> might CLASS="highlight"> as CLASS="highlight"> well CLASS="highlight"> not CLASS="highlight"> worry CLASS="highlight"> about CLASS="highlight"> it.

    "I CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> being CLASS="highlight"> selfish, CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> guess," CLASS="highlight"> Roark CLASS="highlight"> admitted. CLASS="highlight"> "Little CLASS="highlight"> things CLASS="highlight"> would CLASS="highlight"> happen—bloop CLASS="highlight"> hits. CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> would CLASS="highlight"> be CLASS="highlight"> getting CLASS="highlight"> it CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> my CLASS="highlight"> own CLASS="highlight"> head CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> saying, CLASS="highlight"> 'Why CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> getting CLASS="highlight"> on?' CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> trying CLASS="highlight"> really CLASS="highlight"> hard. CLASS="highlight"> We CLASS="highlight"> all CLASS="highlight"> sat CLASS="highlight"> down, CLASS="highlight"> it CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> an CLASS="highlight"> emotional CLASS="highlight"> meeting. CLASS="highlight"> We CLASS="highlight"> talked CLASS="highlight"> it CLASS="highlight"> through. CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> never CLASS="highlight"> went CLASS="highlight"> through CLASS="highlight"> anything CLASS="highlight"> like CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> before. CLASS="highlight"> It CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> good CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> me. CLASS="highlight"> That's CLASS="highlight"> what CLASS="highlight"> turned CLASS="highlight"> my CLASS="highlight"> career CLASS="highlight"> around—the CLASS="highlight"> mental CLASS="highlight"> aspect CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> game."

    Said CLASS="highlight"> Harris, CLASS="highlight"> "It CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> about CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> understanding CLASS="highlight"> who CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> was, CLASS="highlight"> what CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> needed CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> do CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> be CLASS="highlight"> successful. CLASS="highlight"> Tanner CLASS="highlight"> did CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> terrific CLASS="highlight"> job, CLASS="highlight"> taking CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> applying CLASS="highlight"> [what CLASS="highlight"> we CLASS="highlight"> said]. CLASS="highlight"> He CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> funk. CLASS="highlight"> He CLASS="highlight"> really CLASS="highlight"> did CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> nice CLASS="highlight"> job CLASS="highlight"> battling CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> way CLASS="highlight"> out CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> it. CLASS="highlight"> He CLASS="highlight"> really CLASS="highlight"> found CLASS="highlight"> himself."

    The CLASS="highlight"> talk CLASS="highlight"> even CLASS="highlight"> helped CLASS="highlight"> Roark CLASS="highlight"> change CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> life CLASS="highlight"> off CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> field. CLASS="highlight"> "I'm CLASS="highlight"> not CLASS="highlight"> letting CLASS="highlight"> little CLASS="highlight"> petty CLASS="highlight"> things CLASS="highlight"> get CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> me," CLASS="highlight"> Roark CLASS="highlight"> said. CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight">

    Roark CLASS="highlight"> worked CLASS="highlight"> hard CLASS="highlight"> during CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> off-season CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> 2012 CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> had CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> best CLASS="highlight"> season CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> 2013. That CLASS="highlight"> made CLASS="highlight"> him CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> candidate CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Nationals' CLASS="highlight"> rotation CLASS="highlight"> this CLASS="highlight"> year, CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Opening CLASS="highlight"> Day CLASS="highlight"> roster CLASS="highlight"> after CLASS="highlight"> teammate CLASS="highlight"> Doug CLASS="highlight"> Fister CLASS="highlight"> suffered CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> strained CLASS="highlight"> lat CLASS="highlight"> before CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> start CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> regular CLASS="highlight"> season. CLASS="highlight"> Now, CLASS="highlight"> Roark CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> an CLASS="highlight"> integral CLASS="highlight"> part CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> rotation.

    "He CLASS="highlight"> has CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> terrific CLASS="highlight"> understanding CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> who CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> what CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> needs CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> do CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> be CLASS="highlight"> successful," CLASS="highlight"> Harris CLASS="highlight"> said. CLASS="highlight"> "That CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> probably CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> biggest CLASS="highlight"> thing CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> got CLASS="highlight"> him CLASS="highlight"> over CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> hump. CLASS="highlight"> He CLASS="highlight"> finally CLASS="highlight"> began CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> trust CLASS="highlight"> who CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> capable CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> getting CLASS="highlight"> people CLASS="highlight"> out CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> stuff." CLASS="highlight"> (Ladson CLASS="highlight"> - CLASS="highlight"> mlb. CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight">com CLASS="highlight"> - CLASS="highlight"> 5/1/2014)

  • Tanner CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> not CLASS="highlight"> like CLASS="highlight"> most CLASS="highlight"> other CLASS="highlight"> pitchers. After CLASS="highlight"> winning CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> first CLASS="highlight"> start CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> 2015 CLASS="highlight"> season at CLASS="highlight"> Wrigley CLASS="highlight"> Field, CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> bit CLASS="highlight"> taken CLASS="highlight"> aback CLASS="highlight"> when CLASS="highlight"> it CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> suggested CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> might CLASS="highlight"> have CLASS="highlight"> reacted CLASS="highlight"> negatively CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> move CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> put CLASS="highlight"> him CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> bullpen. Roark CLASS="highlight"> wouldn't CLASS="highlight"> even CLASS="highlight"> concede CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> took CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> mound CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> something CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> prove.

    "No," CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> said. CLASS="highlight"> "I CLASS="highlight"> go CLASS="highlight"> out CLASS="highlight"> there CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> try CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> do CLASS="highlight"> my CLASS="highlight"> job—when CLASS="highlight"> it's CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> bullpen CLASS="highlight"> or CLASS="highlight"> when CLASS="highlight"> it's CLASS="highlight"> starting. I'm CLASS="highlight"> not CLASS="highlight"> worried CLASS="highlight"> about CLASS="highlight"> strikeouts. CLASS="highlight"> I'm CLASS="highlight"> worried CLASS="highlight"> about CLASS="highlight"> getting CLASS="highlight"> outs, CLASS="highlight"> getting CLASS="highlight"> quick CLASS="highlight"> outs CLASS="highlight"> so CLASS="highlight"> we CLASS="highlight"> can CLASS="highlight"> get CLASS="highlight"> back CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> dugout CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> swing CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> bats CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> get CLASS="highlight"> runs. CLASS="highlight"> That's CLASS="highlight"> all CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> worry CLASS="highlight"> about. CLASS="highlight"> That's CLASS="highlight"> my CLASS="highlight"> mentality." 

    Roark's CLASS="highlight"> teammates CLASS="highlight"> certainly CLASS="highlight"> appreciate CLASS="highlight"> how CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> has CLASS="highlight"> handled CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> situation, CLASS="highlight"> which CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> brought CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> by CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> free-agent CLASS="highlight"> signing CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> Max CLASS="highlight"> Scherzer CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> offseason CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> top CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> quality CLASS="highlight"> starting CLASS="highlight"> staff. "You CLASS="highlight"> have CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> tip CLASS="highlight"> your CLASS="highlight"> cap CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> him," CLASS="highlight"> center CLASS="highlight"> fielder CLASS="highlight"> Denard CLASS="highlight"> Span CLASS="highlight"> said. CLASS="highlight"> "When CLASS="highlight"> we CLASS="highlight"> signed CLASS="highlight"> Max, CLASS="highlight"> Tanner CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> odd CLASS="highlight"> man CLASS="highlight"> out. CLASS="highlight"> On CLASS="highlight"> 29 CLASS="highlight"> other CLASS="highlight"> teams, CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> would CLASS="highlight"> be CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> their CLASS="highlight"> starting CLASS="highlight"> rotation. CLASS="highlight"> He's CLASS="highlight"> done CLASS="highlight"> whatever CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> team CLASS="highlight"> has CLASS="highlight"> asked CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> him. CLASS="highlight"> He's CLASS="highlight"> closed CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> game, CLASS="highlight"> he's CLASS="highlight"> set CLASS="highlight"> up CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> game, CLASS="highlight"> he's CLASS="highlight"> been CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> long CLASS="highlight"> relief, CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> today CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> came CLASS="highlight"> up CLASS="highlight"> huge CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> us CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> big CLASS="highlight"> start." 

    Whatever CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> team CLASS="highlight"> needs. CLASS="highlight"> "I CLASS="highlight"> started all CLASS="highlight"> last CLASS="highlight"> year, CLASS="highlight"> so CLASS="highlight"> just CLASS="highlight"> get CLASS="highlight"> back CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> same CLASS="highlight"> mentality," CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> said. CLASS="highlight"> "Prepare CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> way CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> usually CLASS="highlight"> prepare CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> work CLASS="highlight"> hard CLASS="highlight"> before CLASS="highlight"> my CLASS="highlight"> next CLASS="highlight"> start CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> be CLASS="highlight"> ready CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> go CLASS="highlight"> by CLASS="highlight"> game CLASS="highlight"> time."

    That's CLASS="highlight"> one CLASS="highlight"> thing CLASS="highlight"> manager CLASS="highlight"> Matt CLASS="highlight"> Williams CLASS="highlight"> says CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> never CLASS="highlight"> has CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> worry CLASS="highlight"> about: CLASS="highlight"> Roark CLASS="highlight"> will CLASS="highlight"> be CLASS="highlight"> ready CLASS="highlight"> when CLASS="highlight"> called CLASS="highlight"> upon. "It CLASS="highlight"> just CLASS="highlight"> doesn't CLASS="highlight"> matter CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> him CLASS="highlight"> what CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> role CLASS="highlight"> is," CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> manager CLASS="highlight"> said. CLASS="highlight"> "He's CLASS="highlight"> anxious CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> get CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> ball CLASS="highlight"> whenever CLASS="highlight"> we CLASS="highlight"> can CLASS="highlight"> give CLASS="highlight"> it CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> him. CLASS="highlight"> It CLASS="highlight"> doesn't CLASS="highlight"> matter CLASS="highlight"> if CLASS="highlight"> it's CLASS="highlight"> one CLASS="highlight"> inning CLASS="highlight"> or CLASS="highlight"> five CLASS="highlight"> innings."  CLASS="highlight"> (Jackson CLASS="highlight"> - CLASS="highlight"> mlb. CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight">com CLASS="highlight"> - CLASS="highlight"> 5/25/2015)

  • Tanner CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> wife CLASS="highlight"> had CLASS="highlight"> their CLASS="highlight"> second CLASS="highlight"> child, CLASS="highlight"> baby CLASS="highlight"> girl CLASS="highlight"> Kennedy CLASS="highlight"> Grey. (Emert CLASS="highlight"> - CLASS="highlight"> mlb. CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight">com CLASS="highlight"> - CLASS="highlight"> 6/21/2015)

  • January CLASS="highlight"> 2017: CLASS="highlight"> Roark CLASS="highlight"> committed CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> play CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> Team CLASS="highlight"> USA CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> 2017 CLASS="highlight"> World CLASS="highlight"> Baseball CLASS="highlight"> Classic.

  • March CLASS="highlight"> 24, CLASS="highlight"> 2017: CLASS="highlight"> Tanner CLASS="highlight"> has CLASS="highlight"> played CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> postseason, CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> said CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> atmosphere CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> World CLASS="highlight"> Baseball CLASS="highlight"> Classic CLASS="highlight"> matched CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> intensity. CLASS="highlight"> Roark CLASS="highlight"> returned CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> Nationals CLASS="highlight"> camp CLASS="highlight"> fresh CLASS="highlight"> off CLASS="highlight"> Team CLASS="highlight"> USA's CLASS="highlight"> championship CLASS="highlight"> run CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Classic CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> raved CLASS="highlight"> about CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> experiences. CLASS="highlight"> He CLASS="highlight"> pointed CLASS="highlight"> specifically CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> their CLASS="highlight"> matchup CLASS="highlight"> against CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Dominican CLASS="highlight"> Republic CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> Miami, CLASS="highlight"> which CLASS="highlight"> will CLASS="highlight"> go CLASS="highlight"> down CLASS="highlight"> as CLASS="highlight"> one CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> best CLASS="highlight"> games CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> history CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Classic, CLASS="highlight"> as CLASS="highlight"> one CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> experiences CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> enjoyed CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> most.

    "I CLASS="highlight"> think CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> game CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> Miami CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> by CLASS="highlight"> far CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> loudest CLASS="highlight"> game CLASS="highlight"> I've CLASS="highlight"> ever CLASS="highlight"> been CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> part CLASS="highlight"> of," CLASS="highlight"> Roark CLASS="highlight"> said. CLASS="highlight"> "And CLASS="highlight"> coming CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> runner CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> first, CLASS="highlight"> it CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> absolutely CLASS="highlight"> insane. CLASS="highlight"> It CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> loudest. CLASS="highlight"> And CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> dome CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> open. CLASS="highlight"> I CLASS="highlight"> can CLASS="highlight"> imagine CLASS="highlight"> if CLASS="highlight"> it CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> closed, CLASS="highlight"> how CLASS="highlight"> much CLASS="highlight"> louder CLASS="highlight"> it CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> drums CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> horns. CLASS="highlight"> Every CLASS="highlight"> pitch CLASS="highlight"> . CLASS="highlight"> . CLASS="highlight"> . CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> it CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> crazy."

    Roark CLASS="highlight"> did CLASS="highlight"> get CLASS="highlight"> considerable CLASS="highlight"> in-game CLASS="highlight"> action CLASS="highlight"> considering CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> got CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> start CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> Team CLASS="highlight"> USA CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> championship CLASS="highlight"> round CLASS="highlight"> game CLASS="highlight"> against CLASS="highlight"> Japan. CLASS="highlight"> But CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Nats CLASS="highlight"> capped CLASS="highlight"> him CLASS="highlight"> at CLASS="highlight"> 50 CLASS="highlight"> pitches, CLASS="highlight"> which CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> turned CLASS="highlight"> into CLASS="highlight"> four CLASS="highlight"> efficient, CLASS="highlight"> scoreless CLASS="highlight"> innings, CLASS="highlight"> after CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> had CLASS="highlight"> not CLASS="highlight"> faced CLASS="highlight"> live CLASS="highlight"> hitters CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> nine CLASS="highlight"> days CLASS="highlight"> leading CLASS="highlight"> up CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> start. And CLASS="highlight"> even CLASS="highlight"> though CLASS="highlight"> he CLASS="highlight"> struggled CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> 1 CLASS="highlight"> 1/3 CLASS="highlight"> innings CLASS="highlight"> against CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Dominican CLASS="highlight"> Republic, CLASS="highlight"> Roark CLASS="highlight"> credits CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> experience CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> teaching CLASS="highlight"> him CLASS="highlight"> how CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> stay CLASS="highlight"> calm CLASS="highlight"> during CLASS="highlight"> big CLASS="highlight"> moments.

    "I CLASS="highlight"> think CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Dominican CLASS="highlight"> game CLASS="highlight"> helped CLASS="highlight"> me CLASS="highlight"> relax CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> lot CLASS="highlight"> more, CLASS="highlight"> too," CLASS="highlight"> Roark CLASS="highlight"> said. CLASS="highlight"> "Just CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> breathe. CLASS="highlight"> If CLASS="highlight"> you CLASS="highlight"> don't CLASS="highlight"> breathe, CLASS="highlight"> you CLASS="highlight"> die. CLASS="highlight"> It's CLASS="highlight"> crazy, CLASS="highlight"> but CLASS="highlight"> it's CLASS="highlight"> true CLASS="highlight"> if CLASS="highlight"> you CLASS="highlight"> think CLASS="highlight"> about CLASS="highlight"> it. CLASS="highlight"> If CLASS="highlight"> you CLASS="highlight"> get CLASS="highlight"> up CLASS="highlight"> there CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> you CLASS="highlight"> don't CLASS="highlight"> breathe CLASS="highlight"> normally, CLASS="highlight"> you CLASS="highlight"> can't CLASS="highlight"> focus. CLASS="highlight"> You CLASS="highlight"> can't CLASS="highlight"> do CLASS="highlight"> all CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> right CLASS="highlight"> stuff. CLASS="highlight"> That's CLASS="highlight"> what CLASS="highlight"> helped CLASS="highlight"> out." CLASS="highlight"> (J CLASS="highlight"> Collier CLASS="highlight"> - CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> MLB. CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight">com CLASS="highlight"> - CLASS="highlight"> March CLASS="highlight"> 25, CLASS="highlight"> 2017)

  • June CLASS="highlight"> 1, CLASS="highlight"> 2018: CLASS="highlight"> When CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> weather CLASS="highlight"> warms CLASS="highlight"> up, CLASS="highlight"> it CLASS="highlight"> means CLASS="highlight"> it's CLASS="highlight"> time CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> go CLASS="highlight"> outside CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> play—as CLASS="highlight"> Tanner CLASS="highlight"> Roark CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> 8-year-old CLASS="highlight"> daughter, CLASS="highlight"> Madison CLASS="highlight"> did. CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> Tanner's CLASS="highlight"> backyard CLASS="highlight"> baseball CLASS="highlight"> game CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> daughter CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> slapstick CLASS="highlight"> comedy CLASS="highlight"> gold. CLASS="highlight"> Their CLASS="highlight"> game CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> choice, CLASS="highlight"> unsurprisingly, CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> two-person CLASS="highlight"> game CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> baseball CLASS="highlight"> ... CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> it's CLASS="highlight"> clear CLASS="highlight"> Madison's CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> ringer. CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> MLB.com's CLASS="highlight"> Jamal CLASS="highlight"> Collier CLASS="highlight"> pointed CLASS="highlight"> out CLASS="highlight"> that CLASS="highlight"> Roark CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> showing CLASS="highlight"> this CLASS="highlight"> video CLASS="highlight"> around CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Washington CLASS="highlight"> clubhouse, CLASS="highlight"> as CLASS="highlight"> he's CLASS="highlight"> clearly CLASS="highlight"> pretty CLASS="highlight"> proud CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> highlight CLASS="highlight"> clip. Just CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> textbook CLASS="highlight"> swing CLASS="highlight"> by CLASS="highlight"> young CLASS="highlight"> Madison, CLASS="highlight"> who, CLASS="highlight"> you CLASS="highlight"> may CLASS="highlight"> recall, CLASS="highlight"> visited CLASS="highlight"> her CLASS="highlight"> dad CLASS="highlight"> at CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> job CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> wrote CLASS="highlight"> up CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Nats' CLASS="highlight"> lineup CLASS="highlight"> card CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> couple CLASS="highlight"> years CLASS="highlight"> back:

    Roark CLASS="highlight"> not CLASS="highlight"> fielding CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> position CLASS="highlight"> cleanly CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> an CLASS="highlight"> outlier CLASS="highlight"> as CLASS="highlight"> far CLASS="highlight"> as CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> skills CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> mound CLASS="highlight"> are CLASS="highlight"> concerned. CLASS="highlight"> After CLASS="highlight"> all, CLASS="highlight"> he's CLASS="highlight"> known CLASS="highlight"> much CLASS="highlight"> more CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> this CLASS="highlight"> sort CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> thing CLASS="highlight"> than CLASS="highlight"> what CLASS="highlight"> transpired CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> his CLASS="highlight"> backyard CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> Madison. CLASS="highlight"> But CLASS="highlight"> then CLASS="highlight"> again, CLASS="highlight"> she CLASS="highlight"> just CLASS="highlight"> made CLASS="highlight"> some CLASS="highlight"> really CLASS="highlight"> good CLASS="highlight"> contact. The CLASS="highlight"> summer CLASS="highlight"> months CLASS="highlight"> are CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> making CLASS="highlight"> memories, CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Roarks CLASS="highlight"> certainly CLASS="highlight"> did CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> this CLASS="highlight"> backyard CLASS="highlight"> baseball CLASS="highlight"> game. CLASS="highlight"> (A CLASS="highlight"> Garro CLASS="highlight"> - CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> MLB. CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight">com CLASS="highlight"> - CLASS="highlight"> June CLASS="highlight"> 1, CLASS="highlight"> 2018)

  • September CLASS="highlight"> 16, CLASS="highlight"> 2018: CLASS="highlight"> Roark's CLASS="highlight"> wife CLASS="highlight"> Amanda  CLASS="highlight"> gave CLASS="highlight"> birth CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> their CLASS="highlight"> third CLASS="highlight"> child CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> first CLASS="highlight"> son, CLASS="highlight"> Eli. CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight">

  • December CLASS="highlight"> 12, CLASS="highlight"> 2018: CLASS="highlight"> The CLASS="highlight"> Reds CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> Nationals CLASS="highlight"> pulled CLASS="highlight"> off CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> deal CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> righthanders, CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> starter CLASS="highlight"> Tanner CLASS="highlight"> Roark CLASS="highlight"> heading CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> Cincinnati CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> exchange CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> reliever CLASS="highlight"> Tanner CLASS="highlight"> Rainey. CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> If CLASS="highlight"> you're CLASS="highlight"> like CLASS="highlight"> most CLASS="highlight"> people, CLASS="highlight"> you CLASS="highlight"> probably CLASS="highlight"> heard CLASS="highlight"> about CLASS="highlight"> this CLASS="highlight"> deal CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> wondered CLASS="highlight"> (either CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> yourself CLASS="highlight"> or CLASS="highlight"> aloud, CLASS="highlight"> whichever CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> your CLASS="highlight"> style) CLASS="highlight"> if CLASS="highlight"> this CLASS="highlight"> was CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> first CLASS="highlight"> Tanner-for-Tanner CLASS="highlight"> trade CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> MLB CLASS="highlight"> history. CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> Turns CLASS="highlight"> out, CLASS="highlight"> that's CLASS="highlight"> exactly CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> case. CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight">

    Five CLASS="highlight"> players CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> first CLASS="highlight"> name CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> Tanner CLASS="highlight"> have CLASS="highlight"> played CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> majors CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> MLB CLASS="highlight"> history, CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> two CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> them CLASS="highlight"> were CLASS="highlight"> just CLASS="highlight"> traded CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> each CLASS="highlight"> other. Roark CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> Rainey CLASS="highlight"> comprise CLASS="highlight"> 40 CLASS="highlight"> percent CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> five CLASS="highlight"> Tanners CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> appear CLASS="highlight"> at CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> MLB CLASS="highlight"> level CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> league CLASS="highlight"> history. CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> The CLASS="highlight"> others—Tanner CLASS="highlight"> Scheppers, CLASS="highlight"> Tanner CLASS="highlight"> Scott CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> Tanner CLASS="highlight"> Anderson CLASS="highlight"> are CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> other CLASS="highlight"> three—have CLASS="highlight"> not CLASS="highlight"> been CLASS="highlight"> traded CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> each CLASS="highlight"> other, CLASS="highlight"> so CLASS="highlight"> this CLASS="highlight"> is CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> big CLASS="highlight"> deal. CLASS="highlight"> (A CLASS="highlight"> Garro CLASS="highlight"> - CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight"> MLB. CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight">com CLASS="highlight"> - CLASS="highlight"> December CLASS="highlight"> 12, CLASS="highlight"> 2018)

  CLASS="highlight">   CLASS="highlight">   CLASS="highlight">   CLASS="highlight">   CLASS="highlight">   CLASS="highlight"> TRANSACTIONS

  • March CLASS="highlight"> 2008: CLASS="highlight"> Roark CLASS="highlight"> signed CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> independent CLASS="highlight"> Southern CLASS="highlight"> Illinois CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Frontier CLASS="highlight"> League.

  • June 2008: CLASS="highlight"> He CLASS="highlight"> signed CLASS="highlight"> with CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Rangers CLASS="highlight"> after CLASS="highlight"> they CLASS="highlight"> chose CLASS="highlight"> him CLASS="highlight"> in CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> 25th CLASS="highlight"> round CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> draft, CLASS="highlight"> out CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> University CLASS="highlight"> of CLASS="highlight"> Illinois. 

  • July CLASS="highlight"> 30, CLASS="highlight"> 2010: CLASS="highlight"> The CLASS="highlight"> Nationals CLASS="highlight"> sent CLASS="highlight"> 2B CLASS="highlight"> Cristian CLASS="highlight"> Guzman CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> cash CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Rangers, CLASS="highlight"> acquiring CLASS="highlight"> Roark.

  • January CLASS="highlight"> 13, CLASS="highlight"> 2017: CLASS="highlight"> Tanner CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Nats CLASS="highlight"> avoided CLASS="highlight"> arbitration, CLASS="highlight"> agreeing CLASS="highlight"> on CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> one-year, CLASS="highlight"> $4.3 CLASS="highlight"> million CLASS="highlight"> contract. CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight">

  • January CLASS="highlight"> 12, CLASS="highlight"> 2018: CLASS="highlight"> Tanner CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Nationals CLASS="highlight"> avoided CLASS="highlight"> arbitration, CLASS="highlight"> agreeing CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> one-year CLASS="highlight"> deal CLASS="highlight"> worth CLASS="highlight"> $6.5 CLASS="highlight"> million. CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight">

  • December CLASS="highlight"> 12, CLASS="highlight"> 2018:  CLASS="highlight"> The CLASS="highlight"> Nats CLASS="highlight"> traded CLASS="highlight"> Roark CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Reds CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> RHP CLASS="highlight"> Tanner CLASS="highlight"> Rainey. CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight">

  • January CLASS="highlight"> 11, CLASS="highlight"> 2019: CLASS="highlight"> Roark CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> Reds CLASS="highlight"> avoided CLASS="highlight"> arbitration, CLASS="highlight"> agreeing CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> one-year CLASS="highlight"> deal CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> $10 CLASS="highlight"> million.

  • July CLASS="highlight"> 31, CLASS="highlight"> 2019: CLASS="highlight"> The CLASS="highlight"> Reds CLASS="highlight"> traded CLASS="highlight"> Roark CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> the CLASS="highlight"> A's. CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight">

  • October CLASS="highlight"> 31, CLASS="highlight"> 2019: CLASS="highlight"> Tanner CLASS="highlight"> chose CLASS="highlight"> free CLASS="highlight"> agency. CLASS="highlight"> CLASS="highlight">

  • December CLASS="highlight"> 11, CLASS="highlight"> 2019: CLASS="highlight"> The CLASS="highlight"> Blue CLASS="highlight"> Jays CLASS="highlight"> and CLASS="highlight"> Tanner CLASS="highlight"> agreed CLASS="highlight"> to CLASS="highlight"> a CLASS="highlight"> two-year CLASS="highlight"> deal CLASS="highlight"> for CLASS="highlight"> $24 CLASS="highlight"> million.
Pitching

  • Roark has an 89-95 mph four-seam FASTBALL and an 86-90 mph two-seam SINKER. Tanner has an 88-90 mph CUTTER. He also has a 75-78 mph CURVEBALL, an 84-87 mph SLIDER, and an 83-85 mph CHANGEUP.

  • 2016 Season Pitch Usage: 4-seam Fastball: 17.4% of the time; Sinker 44.8% of the time; Change 10.1%; Slider 14.9%; Curve 12.7%; and Cutter .2% of the time.

    2017 Season Pitch Usage: 4-seam Fastball: 20.4% of the time; Sinker 36.1% of the time; Change 11.9%; Slider 14.7%; Curve 15.1%; and Cutter 1.8% of the time.

    2018 Season Pitch Usage: 4-seam Fastball: 19.3% of the time; Sinker 40%; Change 12.1%; Slider 12.5%; his Curve 14%; and his Cutter 2.2% of the time. Average velocity: 4-seam 92.1 mph, Sinker 91.8, Change 83.9, Slider 85.5, Curve 75.2, and Cutter 89.8 mph.

  • August 7, 2013 Major League debut: The 26-year-old Roark certainly made his family proud, overcoming nerves and ignoring the crowd to allow just one hit over two scoreless innings.

    "It was great," he said. "It's exciting. Very nerve-wracking. All in all, I'll take it."

    Tanner also made one of the most impressive plays of the game with one on and one out in the sixth. After Braves starter Kris Medlen popped a bunt straight into the air, Roark lunged, caught the ball, and threw to first base for the inning-ending double play.

  • Tanner says he has no preference for starting or relieving. "As long as I'm up on the mound and I can compete and pitch, that's all I worry about," he said.

  • In 2013, Roark pitched with a different mind-set and really put his pitching game together. He maintained focus and his preparation for the game was excellent. He was really very locked in. And he did not shy away from contact, pitching fearlessly.

    Plus, Tanner was the 2013 King of the Called Strike. In 2013, hitters swung at 54.8 percent of the pitches he threw in the strike zone, according to FanGraphs. Alone, that means nothing. With context, it amazes. In 2013, no pitcher who threw at least 50 innings coerced hitters to take a greater percentage of pitches in the strike zone than Roark.

    “I never noticed,” Roark said. “That’s a cool stat.”

    Tanner's called-strike exploits may only be statistical noise gleaned from a small sample size. But it seems more likely the number of called strikes Roark earned revealed something about his style. Trained eyes could tell his stuff confused hitters.

    “Guys got a lot of bad takes against him," teammate Jayson Werth said.

    In 2013, Roark began throwing his two-seam fastball with great effectiveness and frequency. From the pitcher’s perspective, the pitch moves down and left to right. He improved the movement and control of the pitch. Against righthanded hitters, he could start the pitch outside the plate and make it dart over the corner. To lefties, he would throw the pitch at their hip and watch it swing back over the plate.

    “It’s deceiving,” Roark said. “I feel like I’m getting better late movement, because my mechanics have gotten better. I’m just staying through the ball well. Also, I’ve become more educated about the game, watching hitters, how they react to certain pitches. That’s a big thing, too."

    Roark also developed a feel for changing his delivery. From the stretch especially, Roark can vary his motion. On some pitches, Roark takes a particularly quick step to disrupt a hitter’s timing. The ball seems to surprise the hitter—by the time he wants to swing, it has already gone over the plate.  (Adam Kilgore - Washington Post - 3/25/2014)

  • 2018 Improvements: Keeping it simple is what Roark said he is trying to accomplish. He has a tendency to get too pumped up and rock back on his windup, throwing off balance.

    "Stuff gets out of whack, so now I'm just standing already sideways on the rubber going forwards, backwards. It's kind of like a momentum thing," Roark said. "I've seen pitchers do it, and I wanted to try it and see how I felt. Simple is always better."

    Roark used to stand on the rubber and face the hitter when no one was on base. He would turn and lean and reach back before delivering. Now, he stands with his back foot on the rubber, as he might in the stretch, comes set, and steps laterally back with his front foot before loading over the rubber and pushing forward. In other words, he is now using a modified (and simplified) wind-up.

  • April 13, 2019: When the Reds had an off-day to enjoy in Monterrey, Mexico, their starting pitcher vs. the Cardinals had one fundamental work-related issue. Tanner Roark needed to throw—his usual ritual the day before a start—but the team was not going to Estadio de Beisbol Monterrey until game day. No problem. Roark found a spot at the team hotel. He and Sean Marohn, the club’s strength and conditioning director, long-tossed inside a courtyard.

    “You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do,” Roark said. “I always feel like I have to—if I have a start and there’s a day off, I have to throw just to get moving around. It was a week since I threw. You got to keep things loose.”

    Tanner decided that the hotel courtyard was much more scenic than a bullpen. #MéxicoSeries

    Roark and Marohn were not unlike kids playing catch in a neighborhood. Unlike a bullpen or outfield, there were plenty of windows that could get smashed around the courtyard if they weren’t careful.

    “That was the lucky spot, and I was able to throw,” Roark said. “I told Marohn not to miss the ball, and I made sure he was by a wall, so no glass was broken. The first couple of throws are always iffy. You don’t know where they’re going sometimes.” (M Sheldon - MLB.com - April 14, 2019)

  • June 8, 2019: Roark gets 800th K and throws 1,000th inning.

  • December 18, 2019: Roark’s first taste of free agency couldn’t have gone better.  Toronto was the first club that reached out to Roark as he entered the process, and the one that came away with a new addition to its rotation.

    “They knew what they wanted and they wanted me,” Roark said. “And it was exciting to have someone want you like that. This is my first time through free agency, so it’s pretty exciting and I’m excited.”

    Roark had been a target for the Blue Jays throughout the free-agent process because of his durability and reliability, something the club covets after a season that saw them roll out 21 starters, including plenty of young rookies and openers. Roark, 33, has made 30 or more starts in each of the past four seasons, posting a 3.99 ERA over that span.

    “What keeps me on the field is I work hard,” Roark said. “It can be a long, arduous season, repetitive travel-wise, the mental part of it can just crush you. But working hard and doing what you need to do to prepare yourself for every fifth day, that’s the biggest thing. The stuff in between the starts is the real work. The fifth day is the actual enjoyment of it all, of all the work that you put in those previous four days and then you’re rewarded with the start, to go out there and hopefully kick some butt.” (K Matheson & A Brudnicki - MLB.com - December 18, 2019)

  • At the beginning of the 2020 season, Tanner had a record of 74-64 with an ERA of 3.71.  He had given up 126 home runs and 1,047 hits in 1,100 innings.
Fielding
  • Roark is extremely quick, exhibiting impressive range. Tanner is a true athlete who just happens to be a pitcher.
Career Injury Report
  • None.