RON MARINACCIO: Shining Bright In The Big City

By Shaun Nadkarni | SomersetPatriots.com

Bridgewater, New Jersey - Since late May, New York Yankees relief pitcher and former Somerset Patriots star Ron Marinaccio has been virtually unhittable on the mound. In his last seven appearances, Marinaccio has delt 8.2 scoreless innings with 12 strikeouts and just one hit allowed.

Ron Marinaccio is shoving! pic.twitter.com/H9O6bnXbeX

— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) June 17, 2022

The right-handed hurler was named to the Yankees Opening Day roster in April after appearing in six games in Spring Training and tossing 5.2 innings without an earned run allowed while striking out six batters. Marinaccio later made his MLB debut on April 9 at home against the Boston Red Sox and threw a scoreless top of the fourth that helped the team capture a 4-2 win over its rivals. In total, Marinaccio has pitched 12.2 innings in the big leagues with an ERA of 3.55 and 18 strikeouts.

The New Jersey-native most recently also recorded his first career win on June 10 with a shutout 13th inning that contributed to a 2-1 walk-off victory over the Chicago Cubs.

“The feeling after the first win was great,” said Marinaccio. “As a younger arm in the bullpen it's hard to come by opportunities at times so it was nice to be able to contribute to another win for the team when I was called on.”

Born in Toms River, New Jersey, Marinaccio graduated from Toms River North High School and continued his baseball career at the University of Delaware where he tallied 207.2 innings with a 3.90 ERA and 184 strikeouts. The two-time Blue Hens Pitcher of the Year was then drafted in the 19th round of the 2017 draft by the Yankees and began his journey to the show in the minor league system.

“Being a fan and from the area is definitely exciting but I think if you'd ask anyone, they would be excited to represent the Yankees,” added Marinaccio. “There is just so much history and tradition, everyone that comes over talks about how special it is to put on the pinstripes.”

After being assigned to Double-A Somerset in 2021, Marinaccio became a staple in the Patriots bullpen with 39.2 innings pitched and a 1.82 ERA as well as 64 strikeouts.

Between June 13 to July 14, the 26-year-old allowed just five hits and no runs across 14.0 innings and recorded two saves to go along with 24 strikeouts. On August 8, Marinaccio capped off a historic day at TD Bank Ballpark with a hitless top of the ninth against the Bowie Baysox that gave the Patriots a combined no-hitter, the first in franchise history.

“My time in Somerset was great, it gave me the opportunity to develop and mature as a pitcher,” mentioned Marinaccio. “Pitching coach Daniel Moskos played a huge role in helping me learn more about and iron out my mechanics over the year.”

Following his successful stint with Somerset, Marinaccio was promoted to Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre where he finished the season and posted a 1-0 record with a 2.36 ERA and 41 strikeouts.