ROCHESTER, MINN. – The Rochester Honkers are making a “big league” move in preparation for their upcoming 2026 season as team officials announced the hiring of their new field manager today, former big league pitcher Jason Jácome.
Jácome, who currently serves as the associate head coach at his alma mater and perennial junior college powerhouse Pima College (Ariz.), pitched for three different Major League organizations between 1994-1998 including the New York Mets, Kansas City Royals and the Cleveland Indians. The former 12th round pick appeared in 108 career MLB games, posting a 10-18 record with a 5.34 ERA over 261 innings pitched. The Tulsa, Okla. native also pitched two seasons in Japan for the Yakult Swallows in 1999-2000 and one season (2005) in the Mexican Professional League.
Prior to pitching professionally, Jacome was a first-team NJCAA All-American at Pima College, breaking the single season record for wins by going 17-2 in 1991.
Following his pitching career, Jácome returned to his alma mater to join his brother, Ken, on the coaching staff at Pima in 2021 where they annually field a nationally ranked Junior College club.
Jácome is no stranger to managing in the summer collegiate baseball world either as he has spent the past four summers as the field manager for the Westhampton Aviators of the Hamptons Summer Collegiate League but is more than excited to tackle a summer in the Northwoods.
“I am honored to join the Rochester Honkers organization and look forward to assembling a championship-quality team. Our goal is to compete at the highest level while representing the city of Rochester with pride and professionalism,” said Jácome.
Jácome and the Honkers will take the field for their 33rd season on Memorial Day next year. The 2026 Northwoods League schedule is set to be released later this fall or early winter. Schedule and ticket information can be found at www.rochesterhonkers.com.
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The Rochester Honkers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Now in its’ 32nd season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 24 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires, and front office staff, 360 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and two-time World Series Champion Max Scherzer (TOR), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford and World Series Champion and Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale (ATL). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2021 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com and on ESPN+. For more information, visit www.rochesterhonkers.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Honkers as your favorite team.
