Enny Romero

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #29 prospect in 2016
  The Rays have been invested in Romero for quite some time. He has ranked among their top 30 prospects every year since 2010, thanks largely to his explosive fastball and the potential he's shown with his offspeed stuff. Romero has struggled to find consistency in his delivery over the past few years. He has a long arm action and often has trouble finding a consistent arm slot and release point. The Rays finally shifted Romero to the bullpen in 2015, and in short spurts, Romero has dialed his fastball up to as high as 100 mph. He complements the heater with a curveball and a cutter. Romero, whose 2013 big league debut was a September spot start, spent time in Tampa Bay bullpen in 2015. In theory, his stuff should play as a lefthanded specialist, but he's been more effective against righthanded hitters throughout the course of his career. Romero will be out of minor league options in 2016, so if he doesn't earn a spot on the 25-man roster, he will have to clear waivers before he can be sent back to Triple-A Durham.
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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #20 prospect in 2015
  Romero's arm strength and stuff made him one of the system's top prospects over the past several seasons, but he logged a 5.31 ERA through Aug. 1 prior to finishing strong in his last five outings, when he surrendered just four earned runs over 26 innings. Romero has a live arm that generates a fastball in the low 90s and a slurvy breaking ball in the mid-80s. He struggles with the release point of his three-quarters delivery, which led to a walk rate of 3.7 per nine innings in 2014. With a below-average changeup, Romero's two-pitch mix probably limits him to a relief future in the major leagues. His repertoire proved all too hittable against International League competition in 2014 before he made some late-season adjustments, and the Rays are hopeful that the mechanical tweaks will continue to benefit him in 2015, with a return to Durham to open the season the most realistic scenario.
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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #4 prospect in 2014
  Romero tied for second in the Double-A Southern League in opponent average (.215) and fifth in ERA (2.76) last year but also tied for third in walks (73). That follows a career trend, as he's been both stingy with hits (.217 average) and generous with walks (4.6 per nine innings). More consistent in 2013, Romero dominated in mid-May when he did not allow an earned run over four starts, covering nearly 25 innings. He has a live arm that generates a tailing 92-94 mph fastball that touches 96. He shows a plus breaking ball, a slurve with hard-breaking, two-plane action. The problem has been finding a consistent release point from his three-quarters arm slot, which affects his control and the sharpness of the pitch. He has a fringy, firm changeup that needs to improve if he hopes to be a starter in the big leagues. The Rays say that once Romero conquers his mechanics, he will be an elite pitcher, and his development will determine whether he is a mid-rotation starter or a reliever in the big leagues. He likely will spend most of 2014 at Triple-A Durham.
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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #8 prospect in 2013
  In three years in the United States, Romero has led the Rookie-level Appalachian League with a 1.95 ERA (2010), the low Class A Midwest League with 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings (2011) and the high Class A Florida State League with a .201 opponent average (2012). He pitched in the Futures Game last July before falling into a second-half slump, posting a 5.09 ERA and 39 walks in his final 53 innings. Romero can dominate with his plus fastball when he's in rhythm and pounding the strike zone. He was unhittable at times in the FSL, but struggled at others because of self-inflicted mistakes. His 92-97 mph fastball has great movement and armside run. He throws a hard curveball in the low 80s but battles to command it from his three-quarters release point. His changeup is a work in progress but shows promise when he maintains his arm slot. Romero's greatest need is to repeat his delivery with more consistency so he can throw more strikes. The Rays believe he'll continue to improve as his projectable frame develops and adds strength. Romero could move quickly if he harnesses his command and control. His ability to do so will determine whether he becomes a No. 3 starter or late-inning reliever. Added to the 40-man roster in the offseason to protect him from the Rule 5 draft, he'll make the jump to Double-A in 2013.
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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #8 prospect in 2012
  A product of the Rays' increased presence in Latin America, Romero led the Rookielevel Appalachian League with a 1.95 ERA in his 2010 U.S. debut. In his first taste of full-season ball in 2011, he ranked second in the low Class A Midwest League with 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings. Romero is an extremely projectable lefthander. He already throws 92-97 mph fastballs with armside run with a whip-like delivery that looks effortless, and his lanky frame has lots of room to fill out. He also throws a firm curveball in the low 80s. His curve lacks consistency, though when it's on, it breaks straight down from his high three-quarters arm slot. Romero's changeup shows promise but he struggles to command it. Scouts believe his command issues with his secondary pitches stem from his inability to repeat his delivery, which could improve as he matures physically. Following in the footsteps of David Price and Matt Moore, Romero is Tampa Bay's latest high-ceiling lefty. He won't develop as quickly as they did, but Romero has a chance to be a frontline starter. If he can't harness his secondary pitches, he could be a late-inning reliever. He figures to spend the entire 2012 season in high Class A.
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  Ranked Tampa Bay Rays #11 prospect in 2011
  Romero is one of the big early finds in the Rays' recent emphasis on Latin America. In 2010, he rated as the No. 2 prospect in the Appalachian League, pacing the Rookie-level circuit with a 1.95 ERA while ranking second with a 0.94 WHIP, third with 9.4 strikeouts per nine innings and fourth with a .204 opponent average. In addition to his statistical success, he also displayed projectability that could lead to bigger things in the future. Romero throws two plus pitches: a 92-96 mph four-seam fastball with armside run and an overhand curveball with a 12-to-6 break and tight, quick spin. His changeup improved considerably over the course of the summer, showing added softness and some late fade. Romero does an excellent job of mixing his pitches and keeping them down in the strike zone. His maturity on the mound exceeds his age, as he has a good overall feel for pitching as well as the ability to attack hitters and exploit their weaknesses. A fast worker, he should continue to improve as he adds strength to his lanky frame. With a ceiling as high as any young pitcher in the Rays farm system, Romero should open the 2011 season in low Class A.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Southern League #12 prospect in 2013
  Romero continues to tantalize with his potential, such as when he allowed four total runs over a five-start stretch beginning on May 15, but he also continues to frustrate with inconsistent secondary stuff and wavering control. For the third straight season, he finished among his league?s leaders for walks (ranking third), though scouts are generally willing to forgive such lapses for young power lefthanders. A lean and muscular 6-foot-3, Romero sits 92-93 mph and accelerates to 96 as needed, throwing with nasty tailing action. His slider maxes out in the mid-80s and can buckle knees with two-plane action, though just as frequently the pitch cuts across the strike zone without the same snap. Geared more toward a power approach, he continues to refine a fringe changeup that will probably be up to par in time. A stabbing arm action and long stride muddle Romero?s release point and could make the free pass a permanent fixture of his game?or his mechanics could relegate him to the bullpen. Scouts are generally optimistic, seeing No. 3 starter potential.
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  Ranked Florida State League #6 prospect in 2012
  The Rays keep producing pitchers, and Romero looks like the next in their long line of hard-throwing starters. His fastball sits at 93-97 mph, making him one of the hardest-throwing southpaw starters in the minors. He led the league by limiting opponents to a .210 average Romero's downer breaking ball lacks consistency but gives him a second strikeout pitch when it's on. Though changeup requires even more refinement, it also shows flashes of becoming a solid third offering. He doesn't fully understand his delivery and he scatters his fastball. He ranked second in the FSL with 76 walks and if he can't harness his control, he could wind up working out of the bullpen like Jake McGee did for Tampa. Romero is still young and his mechanics have no obvious flaws, giving reason to believe he'll be able to stick as a starter.
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  Ranked Midwest League #15 prospect in 2011
  Though Romero lacks the polish of the pitchers ahead of him on this list, his ceiling ranks with any of theirs. Though he struggled to repeat his delivery and command his pitches, Romero ranked second in the MWL in strikeouts per nine innings (11.1) thanks to his power arm. "It looks almost effortless," Fort Wayne manager Shawn Wooten said. "Then you look up at the radar gun and it's 95, 96, 97 mph." With a loose, whippy arm, Romero usually pitches at 92-94 mph with his fastball, which has occasional running life. His changeup has its moments, and while he shows some aptitude for spinning the ball, his curveball has a long ways to go. His stuff should get firmer as he fills out his lanky frame.
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  Ranked American League #2 prospect in 2010
  The Rays' focus on Latin America has produced tangible results, especially in terms of pitchers. Righthanders Albert Suarez, Alex Colome (both 2008) and Wilking Rodriguez (2009) all passed through Princeton before having success in Class A this year. Romero and fellow lefthander Braulio Lara are the next wave. Romero could do no wrong in the Appy League, winning the ERA title (1.95) and ranking second in WHIP (0.94), third in strikeouts per nine innings (9.4) and fourth in opponent average (.204). He has the stuff to back those numbers up: a 92-96 mph four-seam fastball with armside run and a 12-to-6 curveball with short, quick spin. His changeup softened considerably over the course of the season, and he'll continue to work to refine the pitch. He locates the the ball down in the zone, throws strikes and trusts his stuff. "He's got major league stuff and a major league body. Plus he's a great kid," Princeton manager Michael Johns said. "In my mind, he can't miss."

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: In three years in the United States, Romero has led the Rookie-level Appalachian League with a 1.95 ERA (2010), the low Class A Midwest League with 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings (2011) and the high Class A Florida State League with a .201 opponent average (2012). He pitched in the Futures Game last July before falling into a second-half slump, posting a 5.09 ERA and 39 walks in his final 53 innings. Scouting Report: Romero can dominate with his plus fastball when he's in rhythm and pounding the strike zone. He was unhittable at times in the FSL, but struggled at others because of self-inflicted mistakes. His 92-97 mph fastball has great movement and armside run. He throws a hard curveball in the low 80s but battles to command it from his three-quarters release point. His changeup is a work in progress but shows promise when he maintains his arm slot. Romero's greatest need is to repeat his delivery with more consistency so he can throw more strikes. The Rays believe he'll continue to improve as his projectable frame develops and adds strength. The Future: Romero could move quickly if he harnesses his command and control. His ability to do so will determine whether he becomes a No. 3 starter or late-inning reliever. He'll make the jump to Double-A in 2013.
• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: A product of the Rays' increased presence in Latin America, Romero led the Rookie-level Appalachian League with a 1.95 ERA in his 2010 U.S. debut. In his first taste of full-season ball in 2011, he ranked second in the low Class A Midwest League with 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings and fifth overall with 140.
  
  Scouting Report: Romero is an extremely projectable lefthander. He already throws 92-97 mph fastballs with armside run from a whip-like delivery that appears effortless, and his lanky frame has lots of room to fill out. He also throws a firm curveball in the low 80s. His curve lacks consistency, though when it's on, it breaks straight down from his high three-quarters arm slot. Romero's changeup shows promise but he struggles to command it. Scouts believe his command issues with his secondary pitches stem from his inability to repeat his delivery, which could improve as he matures physically.
  
  The Future: Following in the footsteps of David Price and Matt Moore, Romero is Tampa Bay's latest high-ceiling lefty. He won't develop as quickly as they did, but Romero has a chance to be a frontline starter. If Romero can't harness his secondary pitches, he could become a late-inning reliever. He figures to spend the entire 2012 season with high Class A Charlotte.