In the 1977 Major League Baseball draft, Roenicke was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1st round (17th overall), and decided to join the Dodgers organization. He spent time in the Dodgers' farm system until making his major league debut with the club on September 2, , where he remained until released by the club in . He signed with the Seattle Mariners in 1983 and played for the National League Champion San Diego Padres. He played in two games of the 1984 World Series against the Detroit Tigers, serving as an outfielder and pinch runner.