Righthander Jonah Dipoto has impressed since joining Ducks

Jonah Dipoto wasn’t expecting to be a starting pitcher when he signed with the Long Island Ducks on May 10.

The 29-year-old righthander spent four years in the Kansas City Royals’ farm system as a reliever and another year with the Philadelphia Phillies’ organization in 2024 before joining the Ducks.

When he was growing up, he couldn’t have asked for a better pitching coach. His father, Jerry Dipoto, pitched eight seasons in the major leagues for Cleveland, the Mets and Colorado — going 27-24 with 49 saves and a 4.05 ERA — and currently is the president of baseball operations for the Seattle Mariners.

“I got an inside look at the big leagues and the minor-league level,” Jonah Dipoto said. “What it looks like, what those guys do on a daily basis and how those guys prepare, all that kind of stuff. It was really good for me as a kid to see that type of work ethic.”

Like his father before him, Jonah Dipoto found success in the bullpen as he reached Triple-A with the Royals. But that’s not where he’s been utilized of late with the Ducks after they traded starting pitcher Mitchell Senger to the New York Boulders in the Frontier League and had starting pitcher Tyler Beede’s contract purchased by Mexico’s Diablos Rojos Del Mexico.

Dipoto has made five starts since July 12, his most since his 2018 season with UC San Diego. The results were mostly positive in his four July starts, as he allowed seven runs and 18 hits in 21 2⁄3 innings with 33 strikeouts.

“In the past few years, I’ve basically only thrown a sinker and a sweeper,” Dipoto said. “Now I’ve thrown a four-seam, a cutter and a sweeper. There’s a lot of different weapons I can use that I haven’t gotten to use before.”

Dipoto did walk five batters Tuesday against Staten Island, and those control issues continued to plague him Sunday. He walked five and hit Hagerstown’s Kevin Saenz to open the sixth inning before being replaced by Brad Case. He received a no-decision after allowing five hits and two runs in five innings-plus in the Ducks’ 5-4 win over Hagerstown.

Ducks centerfielder Chris Roller (3-for-5) had an RBI single in the second inning and added a three-run homer to left centerfield in the seventh.

And if that wasn’t enough, he’s added an RBI single and this three-run blast to left -center!! pic.twitter.com/rZMdSNvEVO

— Long Island Ducks (@LIDucks) August 3, 2025

Roller also made a spectacular backhand catch in the second inning while smashing into the left-centerfield wall to rob Aaron Takacs of a hit and save at least one run from scoring.

THAT’S OUR GUY @CHRISROLLER_7 WITH THE CATCH OF THE YEAR!!!!#SCTop10 @ESPN @SportsCenter pic.twitter.com/VuxGZF06nN

— Long Island Ducks (@LIDucks) August 3, 2025

“The night before, he hit a couple balls pretty hard in that direction,” he said. “It’s anticipating the play before it happens.”

Roller snagged another long drive in the ninth, leaping against the centerfield wall to rob Tyler Williams.

That helped the Ducks (14-9, 48-37) sweep Hagerstown and maintain their hold on first place in the North Division.

“I take great pride in playing good defense,” Roller said. “Making the plays to help the team win, help the pitchers out, is what puts a smile on my face when I see everyone fired up for me.”