Article: Can Fernando Romero Spark The Twins?

[Seth Stohs]

It’s safe to say that the Minnesota Twins have struggled mightily in every facet of the game the last two weeks. They haven’t hit well. They haven’t played good defense. The bullpen has struggled, and the starting pitchers have rarely been able to provide relief to the bullpen with extended starts.

 

There is, however, reason for Twins fans to be excited about the team’s starting pitcher on Wednesday afternoon against the Blue Jays. Twins top pitching prospect Fernando Romero will make his major league debut.BACKGROUND

 

Fernando Romero burst onto prospect rankings way back in 2013 when he went 2-0 with a 1.60 ERA and 47 strikeouts as an 18-year-old in the Gulf Coast League. Much more important than the numbers were the scouting reports which showed he was sitting in the mid-to-upper 90s with his fastball and that he had a good breaking ball too.

 

In 2014, he moved up to Cedar Rapids in mid-May, but after just three starts, he experienced pain in his elbow. Soon after, he needed Tommy John surgery. He missed the entire 2015 season, and as he was rehabbing, he needed knee surgery. When he returned at Instructional League that year, reports showed him hitting triple-digits with his fastball. He was not able to return to the field until May of 2016.

 

Once he returned, it was as if he didn’t miss a beat. He made five starts in Cedar Rapids where he went 4-1 with a 1.93 ERA. He moved up to Ft. Myers where he went 5-2 with a 1.88 ERA in 11 starts. Combined, he threw 90.1 innings and struck out 90 batters while walking just 15 batters. Following the season, he was added to the Twins 40-man roster.

 

He spent the entire 2017 season in Double-A Chattanooga where he went 11-9 with a 3.53 ERA. In 125 innings, he gave up 45 walks and struck out 120 batters.

And that brings us to 2018. Following a strong showing in big league spring training (eight no-hit innings). That pushed him up to Rochester to start the season.

 

Romero has made three starts for the Red Wings. He also came out of the bullpen once, piggybacking after Adalberto Mejia went two innings. He is 0-1 with a 2.57 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. In 21 innings, he has given up 17 hits (just one home run), ten walks and struck out 20.

 

SCOUTING REPORT

 

From the Minnesota Twins Prospect Handbook 2018:

 

Scouting Report: Romero has absolutely electric stuff, probably the best pure “stuff” of anyone in the organization right now. He is built very strong. He’s just over 6-0 and about 220 pounds. He’s got a very strong lower half, very strong legs. He is quite aggressive with his fastball. His fastball usually sits in the mid-to-upper 90s and he has touched triple digits. His slider can be in the upper-80s and can be a strikeout pitch. He’s still inconsistent with it, but it has potential to be a plus-plus pitch. He also throws a cutter. He has really worked to improve his changeup as well. If he can have three plus-plus pitches, he could be a great starter. Without a third pitch, he could be an elite reliever. He’s shown a commitment to the process of becoming great. He has been willing to work on pitches, such as his changeup, in game situations. Romero is light-hearted and known to be a good teammate.

 

 

TWINS MLB DEBUTS

 

The Twins will be the underdog in this afternoon’s series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays at Target Field. However, with Fernando Romero making his Major League Debut, the excitement and energy in the stadium could certainly affect him and the rest of the Twins team. How comfortable are you with Romero and his stuff in his debut? Be sure to do your research before joining an online betting site and double check the lines. There is incentive for the bookies to have equal bets on both sides.

 

Here is a quick review of how many of the Minnesota Twins pitching prospects over the last dozen years performed in their first major league start.

• Jose Berrios (4/27/16) – 4 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 93 pitches, 56 strikes.
• Alex Meyer (5/2/16) – 2.2 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, HR, 64 pitches, 34 strikes.
• Trevor May (8/9/14) – 2 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, 7 BB, 0 K, 63 pitches, 28 strikes.
• Tyler Duffey (8/5/15) – 2 IP, 5 H, 6 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 2 HR, 60 pitches, 32 strikes.
• Kyle Gibson (6/29/13) – 6 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 91 pitches, 64 strikes.
• Andrew Albers (8/6/13) – 8.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 109 pitches, 67 strikes.
• Liam Hendriks (9/6/11) – 7 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 99 pitches, 65 strikes.
• Cole De Vries (5/24/12) – 5 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 3 HR, 96 pitches, 60 strikes.
• Scott Baker (7/5/05) – 5 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, HR, 88 pitches, 54 strikes.
• Francisco Liriano (9/14/05) – 5 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, HR, 69 pitches, 44 strikes.
• Kevin Slowey (6/14/07) – 6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, HR, 99 pitches, 66 strikes.
• Nick Blackburn (4/2/08) – 7 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 86 pitches, 63 strikes.
• Anthony Swarzak (5/23/09) – 7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K, 98 pitches, 64 strikes.
• Jeff Manship (9/1/09) – 5 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, HR, 80 pitches, 48 strikes.
• Matt Garza (8/11/06) – 2.2 IP, 8 H, 7 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 2 HR, 67 pitches, 42 strikes.

I would say that the takeaway from a quick review of first major-league starts is that we need to not make too much of it as a predictor of the future in any way, good or bad. So, I’m just going to try to enjoy and realize that he is a big part of the Twins future.

 

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[Blake]

Sorry, the guys behind the pitcher have to get the job done.

 

Right now, this is a complete meltdown by a team that, on paper, should have contended.

 

I don't see the ship righting any time soon.

 

But, I will try to catch this guy and see if he's worth watching, though the rest of the team certainly doesn't seem to be.

[FormerMinnasotan]

On one hand Romero should be fine, he’s a ground ball pitcher who does induce weak contact. Also Romero has the attitude to back his stuff. Unlike Jose Berrios who is known to at times be too wound up Romero is very even keeled so I don’t think his nerves will get the best of him. What’s going to be the test for Romero is how well his command of his slider is and his confidence in his change up. If he does both things he’ll be just fine as he has pretty good control and command of his mid to upper 90 mph fastball.

[Tomj14]

So based on that, the bullpen better be ready around the 3 or 4th inning.

Hopefully he comes into the club house singing, "here I am to save the day" and follows though with 6 or 7 good innings.

[birddog]

I'm excited to see him throw. We definitely need a spark and It can't get worse. Please tell me it can't get worse. 

[Han Joelo]

I believe.  Why not?  I created this narrative in my head about the Twins' "Magnificent Seven,"--Buxton, Berrios, Kepler, Polanco, Rosario, and Sano-- but the seventh samurai was always elusive.  I'd thought for a while it would be Vargas, later it seemed fitting that a reliever might step into the role, but for the next few hours I'm going to hope that Romero is the Chosen Seventh, and he will bring balance and the universe will right itself and the Twins will start winning again.

[Darius]

Nope.

 

Maybe they should've done it before the season went off the rails, and there may have been a chance.

 

You know, around the time of Phil Hughes' first start this year, when even my dog was wondering why the hell they're giving him starts.

 

Gonsalves is still wasting away down there, throwing shutouts, while Lance Lynn is walking 18 guys per game and posting a 9.00 ERA.

 

But, hey, be patient, I'm told. Apparently, the games in April and May don't matter.....until you're a few games short in October.

[slash129]

I just added him to my fantasy team, so I apologize in advance for the impending DOOM!

[slash129]

 

I believe.  Why not?  I created this narrative in my head about the Twins' "Magnificent Seven,"--Buxton, Berrios, Kepler, Polanco, Rosario, and Sano-- but the seventh samurai was always elusive.  I'd thought for a while it would be Vargas, later it seemed fitting that a reliever might step into the role, but for the next few hours I'm going to hope that Romero is the Chosen Seventh, and he will bring balance and the universe will right itself and the Twins will start winning again.

 

I think they're more like "Travelers" than the "Magnificent Seven" ... Buxton and Sano are equivalent to whichever traveler is on an operating table in any given episode, Polanco is akin to the heroin addict, and Rosario is the super talent forced to operate in the corners of a mind with severe cognitive limitations.

[joefish]

ATTA Kepler. He looks good.

[Han Joelo]

 

I think they're more like "Travelers" than the "Magnificent Seven" ... Buxton and Sano are equivalent to whichever traveler is on an operating table in any given episode, Polanco is akin to the heroin addict, and Rosario is the super talent forced to operate in the corners of a mind with severe cognitive limitations.

I had to look up "Travelers" in order to be hip to your reference.  Looks like a good show, and "grim future" certainly is one of the more common one's the current Twins could be facing.

 

 With half of our heroes either turned to dust or in the hooze-cow (???) for dabbling in the dark arts, I'm still optimistic that the Twins have at least a 1 in 14 million chance of being good this year.  Not that it matters, with Theastros having acquired six starters Infinitely better than what the Twins have.  Still, this Romero kid has a chance to be Marvelous.  Glad he checked his pager.

[jud6312]

Something I never thought I'd say ...

 

If he can give us what Nick Blackburn did, I'll be happy.

 

[by jiminy]

I'm excited -- I just added him to my fantasy team. But I have one nagging worry. I read he's still working on his changeup. Right now it is 89 mph, and they need it to be slower to separate from his fastball.

 

At 89, I'm worried people will just tee off on it like a weak fastball.

 

But without it he is a two pitch pitcher.

 

Given that the playoffs are looking doubtful, I might rather have him focus this year on improving his changeup than trying to get past major league batters with two pitches.

 

Maybe it's almost there and he'll perfect it with the big league coaches between starts? If not, they can always use him in relief. But my ultimate goal is for him to perfect a changeup and become truly dominant.

[Tomj14]

56 pitchers after 3, with 1 hit and 2 walks, looks like 5 innings will be his max

[KirbyDome89]

 

But, hey, be patient, I'm told. Apparently, the games in April and May don't matter.....until you're a few games short in October.

Too real....

[laloesch]

I was impressed.  For a first start this kid did well.  I like the heat on his fastball and the fact that he is not afraid to attack the zone.  He has pretty good command for the most part and movement on his pitches.  His slider and change still need work but given his age and the fact that he basically jumped from AA to the majors with only a handful of starts at Rochester in between speaks volumes about his talent. 

 

I say two thumbs up and goodbye to Mr. Hughes as a starter....permanently.

Edited May 2, 2018 by laloesch

[Danchat]

He did a fine job today, and the pitching staff had a shutout. Good show!

[Blake]

 

Sorry, the guys behind the pitcher have to get the job done.

 

Right now, this is a complete meltdown by a team that, on paper, should have contended.

 

I don't see the ship righting any time soon.

 

But, I will try to catch this guy and see if he's worth watching, though the rest of the team certainly doesn't seem to be.

Woot, I was wrong! 

 

Where's that end-zone dance gif when I need it?

[Craig Arko]

[Mike Sixel]

Nice start!

[rghrbek]

It was a good start, and gives us hope.  Still concerned about the RISP on our team.  Not getting the big hit, instead relying on ground balls and walks to drive runs in.  Hopefully seeing the ChiSox will cure what ails us.