ProfileHt.: 5'10" / Wt.: 185 / Bats: L / Throws: L
Debut08/18/2006
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
Romero continued to overachieve in 2006, pitching in the Futures Game and making short work of Double-A and Triple-A on his way to Toronto. He also represented Panama in the World Baseball Classic, surrendering three unearned runs in his one-third of an inning. Though his listed height of 5-foot-10 is probably generous, Romero throws deceptively hard, consistently reaching 88-90 mph with his fringe-average fastball and usually pitching a tick below that. He hides the ball well and his three-quarters delivery and sweeping curveball are assets in left-on-left matchups. With four pitches, he has the stuff to attack righthanders, too. He keeps them honest with a slider he can get in on their hands and finishes them off with a fading changeup. Romero is a strike-thrower and while he started exclusively in Double-A, his stuff translates better to a relief role. He's a prime contender for a spot in Toronto's 2007 bullpen.
Romero generates surprising velocity for a pitcher who's generously listed at 5-foot-10, getting his fastball up to 91-92 mph. He ranked third in the Florida State League in strikeouts last year, and when he's on he throws strikes with his fastball, locates his changeup and puts batters away with his above-average, sweeping curveball. At other times, he'll pitch in the high 80s and be much more hittable. Romero is athletic and very sound mechanically. He's using a new low-three-quarters arm slot, suggested by roving pitching instructor Dane Johnson to improve the width on his curve. Romero struggles at times to set batters up for future at-bats, and he pitched well coming out of the bullpen, suggesting a likely future role of lefty reliever. The Jays would like to see Romero make a run at their Double-A rotation this season.
Career Transactions
LHP Davis Romero and assigned to Panama.
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