Jonathan Arturo Aro (born October 10, 1990) is a Dominican professional

baseball Baseball is a bat-and-ball games, bat-and-ball sport played between two team sport, teams of nine players each, taking turns batting (baseball), batting and Fielding (baseball), fielding. The game occurs over the course of several Pitch ...

pitcher In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("Pitch (baseball), pitches") the Baseball (ball), baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of out (baseball), retiring a batter (baseball), batter, ...

for

El Águila de Veracruz El Águila de Veracruz (English: The Eagle of Veracruz) is a professional baseball team that plays in the Mexican League. Based in Veracruz, Veracruz, Veracruz, Mexico, they play their home games at the Estadio Universitario Beto Ávila. Histor ...

of the

Mexican League The Mexican Baseball League (, or LMB, ) is a professional baseball league in Mexico. It is the oldest running professional sports league in the country. The league has 20 teams organized in two divisions, North and South. Teams play 114 games ...

. He has previously played in

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...

(MLB) for the

Boston Red Sox The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. Founded in as one of the Ameri ...

and

Seattle Mariners The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle. The Mariners compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, West Division. The team joined the American ...

. He made his MLB debut in 2015.

Career

Boston Red Sox

The

signed Aro as an international free agent on June 6, 2011. He grew up in the Dominican Republic idolizing Red Sox legend and Hall of Famer

Pedro Martínez Pedro Jaime Martínez (born October 25, 1971) is a Dominican-American former professional baseball starting pitcher, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from to , for five teams—most notably the Boston Red Sox from to . As of 2023, M ...

. His pitching repertoire includes a 91–93 mph

fastball The fastball is the most common type of pitch (baseball), pitch thrown by pitchers in baseball and softball. Its distinctive feature is its high speed. "Power pitchers," such as former major leaguers Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, relied on the ...

which occasionally reaches 95 mph, as well as an 83–85 mph

changeup A changeup is a type of pitch in baseball and fastpitch softball. The changeup is a staple off-speed pitch often used in a pitcher's arsenal, usually thrown to look like a fastball, but arriving much more slowly to the plate. Its reduced spee ...

and a

slurve The slurve is a baseball pitch in which the pitcher throws a curve ball as if it were a Slider (pitch), slider.

at 78–81 mph with a short, 11-to-5 break, throwing most of them for strikes. Aro made a fast ascent in the Boston Minor League system in a span of four years. After spending a full season each with the

Dominican Summer League Red Sox The Dominican Summer League Red Sox, often called the DSL Red Sox, are a Minor League Baseball affiliate of the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball, playing in the foreign Dominican Summer League. The team, classed as a Rookie League franchise, ...

Gulf Coast League Red Sox The Florida Complex League Red Sox are a professional baseball team competing in the rookie-level Florida Complex League (FCL) of Minor League Baseball. The team is owned and operated by the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). Prior ...

, and

Lowell Spinners The Lowell Spinners were a baseball team based in Lowell, Massachusetts. From 1996 to 2020, they were members of Minor League Baseball's New York–Penn League (NYPL) as the Class A Short Season affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. With Major Leagu ...

from 2011 through 2013, he spent 2014 with the

Salem Red Sox The Salem Red Sox are a Minor League Baseball affiliate of the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB), based in Salem, Virginia, Salem, an independent city adjacent to Roanoke, Virginia. The team competes at the Single-A level in the Car ...

and the

Greenville Drive The Greenville Drive are a Minor League Baseball team based in Greenville, South Carolina. They are the High-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox and are a member of the South Atlantic League. They play their home games at Fluor Field at the West E ...

. Besides, he was named a SoxProspects.com All-Star in both 2013 and 2014, and was also honored as

South Atlantic League The South Atlantic League, often informally called the Sally League, is a Minor League Baseball league with teams predominantly in states along the Atlantic coast of the United States from New York to Georgia. A Class A league for most of its h ...

All-Star in the 2014 season, after finishing with a record of 1–3 and a 2.16

ERA An era is a span of time. Era or ERA may also refer to: * Era (geology), a subdivision of geologic time * Calendar era Education * Academy of European Law (German: '), an international law school * ERA School, in Melbourne, Australia * E ...

and 10 saves in 25 games, including 74

strikeout In baseball or softball, a strikeout (or strike-out) occurs when a batter accumulates three strikes during a time at bat. It means the batter is out, unless the third strike is not caught by the catcher and the batter reaches first base safe ...

s and 22 walks in

innings pitched In baseball, the statistic innings pitched (IP) is the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of Batter (baseball), batters and baserunners that have been put out while the pitcher is on the Baseball field#Pitcher's mou ...

. In his two stints, Aro went 3–8 with a 2.16 ERA and eight saves in innings of work, setting the second lowest ERA in the Red Sox minors system in a minimum of 80 innings pitched, being surpassed only by

Brian Johnson Brian Johnson (born 5 October 1947) is an English singer and songwriter. In 1980 at the age of 32, after the death of Bon Scott, he became the third lead singer of the Australian rock band AC/DC. Johnson was one of the founding members of th ...

(2.13). Aro joined the

Portland Sea Dogs The Portland Sea Dogs are a Minor League Baseball team based in Portland, Maine, playing in the Eastern League (1938–present), Eastern League. Established in 1994, the Sea Dogs are the Double-A (baseball), Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red ...

bullpen in 2015, where he posted a 3–2 record with a 2.28 ERA in eight appearances, striking out 19 and walking eight in innings. He then appeared in his fourth level in less than ten months, after being promoted to the

Pawtucket Red Sox The Pawtucket Red Sox, known colloquially as the PawSox, were a professional minor league baseball club based in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. From 1973 to 2020, the team was a member of the International League and served as the Triple-A affiliate ...

in May 2015. On June 25, Aro earned a promotion to the Boston Red Sox. He was optioned July 2 after three appearances, then was recalled in September, making six total appearances with Boston for the season while recording an 0–1 record with 6.97 ERA. Aro was also the recipient of the Red Sox'

Lou Gorman Award This is a list of award winners and single-season leaderboards for the Boston Red Sox professional baseball team. Abbreviations * p: pitcher * rp: relief pitcher * sp: starting pitcher * c: catcher * 1b: first baseman * 2b: second ...

Seattle Mariners

On December 7, 2015, the Red Sox traded Aro and

Wade Miley Wade Allen Miley (born November 13, 1986) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners, Balti ...

to the

for

Roenis Elías Roenis Leliebre Elías (; ; born August 1, 1988) is a Cuban professional baseball pitcher for the Fubon Guardians of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL). He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox, ...

and Carson Smith. On January 26, 2017, Aro was designated for assignment by the Mariners. After clearing waivers, Aro was outrighted to the Triple-A

Tacoma Rainiers The Tacoma Rainiers are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. They are located in Tacoma, Washington, and play their home games at Cheney Stadium, ...

on February 1. On April 24, Aro was suspended 50 games by MLB for a drug of abuse. In 25 appearances for Tacoma, he posted a 6–1 record and 3.16 ERA with 48 strikeouts across innings pitched. Aro elected free agency following the season on November 6.

San Diego Padres

On November 27, 2017, Aro signed a minor league contract with the

San Diego Padres The San Diego Padres are an American professional baseball team based in San Diego. The Padres compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Division. ...

. In 38 relief outings for the Triple–A

El Paso Chihuahuas The El Paso Chihuahuas are a Minor League Baseball team based in El Paso, Texas. The Chihuahuas compete in the Pacific Coast League (PCL) as the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres. The team plays its home games at Sou ...

, he recorded a 3.68 ERA with 36 strikeouts across 44 innings pitched. Aro elected free agency following the season on November 2, 2018.

Atlanta Braves

On January 18, 2019, Aro signed a minor league contract with the

Atlanta Braves The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Eas ...

. He made 31 appearances split between the Double–A

Mississippi Braves The Mississippi Braves, or M-Braves as they were referred to locally, were a Minor League Baseball team based in Pearl, Mississippi, a suburb of Jackson, from 2005 to 2024. They were the Double-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and competed in ...

and Triple–A

Gwinnett Stripers The Gwinnett Stripers are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. They play their home games at Coolray Field in unincorporated Gwinnett County, Georgia ...

, accumulating a 6–3 record and 3.53 ERA with 40 strikeouts across innings pitched. Aro elected free agency following the season on November 4.

Guerreros de Oaxaca

On January 29, 2020, Aro signed with the

Guerreros de Oaxaca The Guerreros de Oaxaca (English: Oaxaca Warriors) are a professional baseball team in the Mexican League based in Oaxaca City, Oaxaca, Mexico. Their home field is Estadio Eduardo Vasconcelos. History In October 1995, a group of businessmen, ...

of the

. Aro did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the Mexican League season because of the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...

. He was released by the Guerreros on November 18. On March 5, 2021, Aro re-signed with Oaxaca. Aro registered a 11.72 ERA with 5 strikeouts in 7 games for Oaxaca before being released on June 15.

Mariachis de Guadalajara

On June 19, 2021, Aro signed with the

Mariachis de Guadalajara The Mariachis de Guadalajara ( English: Guadalajara Mariachis) were a professional baseball team in the Mexican League based in Zapopan, Jalisco, in the Guadalajara metropolitan area. Their home ballpark was the Estadio Panamericano, with a capaci ...

of the

. In 19 appearances for Guadalajara, Aro registered a 2.95 ERA with 17 strikeouts in innings of work.

Los Angeles Angels

On March 16, 2022, Aro signed a minor league contract with the

Los Angeles Angels The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in the Greater Los Angeles, Greater Los Angeles area. The Angels compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, ...

organization.Jonathan Aro Stats, Highlights, Bio , MiLB.com Stats , The Official Site of Minor League Baseball
/ref> Aro made 40 appearances (7 starts) for the Triple-A

Salt Lake Bees The Salt Lake Bees are a Minor League Baseball (MiLB) team that plays in the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. Based in South Jordan, Utah, the team plays its home games at The Ballpark at Am ...

, working to a 4–7 record and 6.03 ERA with 51 strikeouts and 3 saves in innings pitched. He elected free agency following the season on November 10.

Mariachis de Guadalajara (second stint)

On February 21, 2023, Aro signed with the

of the

. In 46 appearances for Guadalajara, he posted a 4–2 record and 2.51 ERA with 44 strikeouts and 15 saves across innings of relief.

Charros de Jalisco

On February 14, 2024, Aro signed with the

Charros de Jalisco The Charros de Jalisco () are a professional baseball team who compete in both the Mexican League (LMB) and the Mexican Pacific League (LMP), based in Zapopan, Jalisco, in the Guadalajara metropolitan area. Their home ballpark is Estadio Pana ...

of the

. He made 17 appearances for Jalisco, struggling to an 0–3 record and 8.10 ERA with 13 strikeouts and 6 saves over innings pitched. Aro made 11 appearances for Jalisco in 2025, but struggled to a 9.22 ERA with nine strikeouts across innings pitched.

Guerreros de Oaxaca (second stint)

On June 1, 2025, Aro was traded to the

of the

. In 11 appearances for Oaxaca, he struggled to a 0-1 record and 13.50 ERA with six strikeouts over eight innings of work. Aro elected free agency on July 2.

El Águila de Veracruz

On July 3, 2025, Aro signed with

of the

References

External links

: {{DEFAULTSORT:Aro, Jonathan 1990 births Living people Boston Red Sox players Charros de Jalisco players Dominican Republic expatriate baseball players in Mexico Dominican Republic expatriate baseball players in the United States Dominican Summer League Red Sox players El Águila de Veracruz players El Paso Chihuahuas players Greenville Drive players Guerreros de Oaxaca players Gulf Coast Red Sox players Gwinnett Stripers players Lowell Spinners players Major League Baseball pitchers Major League Baseball players from the Dominican Republic 21st-century Dominican Republic sportsmen Mariachis de Guadalajara players Mississippi Braves players Pawtucket Red Sox players Sportspeople from La Vega Province Portland Sea Dogs players Salem Red Sox players Salt Lake Bees players Seattle Mariners players Tacoma Rainiers players Tigres del Licey players