Article: MIN 4, TOR 0: Fernandomania!

[snap4birds]

Entitling the article "Fernandomania" reminded me of Fernando Valenzuela bursting on the baseball scene back in the 80's.  Man, I thought he was headed straight to Cooperstown.  Let's hope Fernando Romero's success lasts a little longer.  

 

[Tom Froemming]

 

I was fortunate enough to be able to watch the game yesterday. Romero was throwing 91 MPH change-ups in the second inning.

I suspect he is going to have control issues he will need to work on, but this kid looked really good out there. His FB has good movement. His slider was good. Fun to watch.

You're right, control is going to be the big thing to watch. But, Toronto did an excellent job of making Romero throw in the zone yesterday, which makes this start all the more encouraging.

 

The Blue Jays only swung at 25.5 percent of Romero's pitches that were outside of the zone. If they did that every game, they'd have the second-best O-Swing% in baseball.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

With Hughes moved into the long relief role and a nothing but zeroes hung in his debut. 

 

Romero should be able to make a couple more starts before May and Santana return. 

 

The landscape could change by the time that happens. 

 

It's a chance for him to impress some people. 

After that outing and coupled with the Twins' recent floundering, I believe there's something approaching a zero chance Romero gets fewer than 3-4 more starts before a decision is made either way.

[Number3]

Seems to be a whole lot of excitement over one performance by a rookie unknown to the opposition. His second start will be a lot more meaningful now that he has the attention of the opposition. The salvation for the Twins right now is not Romero; its the AL Central in which .500 winning % would be near the top. It has been said on this board that Twins should feast on lesser teams while struggling against the top teams. So at least 3 of 4 in Chicago?

[Mike Sixel]

It's great to have a guy with stuff! Exciting

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

You're right, control is going to be the big thing to watch. But, Toronto did an excellent job of making Romero throw in the zone yesterday, which makes this start all the more encouraging.

 

The Blue Jays only swung at 25.5 percent of Romero's pitches that were outside of the zone. If they did that every game, they'd have the second-best O-Swing% in baseball.

First ML start, I'm going to chalk up his control to nerves. Yes, he will need to be able to show the ability to pitch deeper into games, and control is a big piece of it. But for now, I'm happy he made it to the 6th. As he settles down, hopefully the walk number drops a bit. He can clearly throw strikes as evidence by all the Ks and the fact that the Jays weren't offering on pitches outside of the zone. 

[jmlease1]

Fun game to watch. Romero is going to be appointment watching for a while, I think. Whew, that fastball cooks but it sure doesn't look like he's struggling to get that kind of gas! And it's crazy to think of a change up at 91. Frankly, if he can drop another 2-3 mph off that sucker and get consistent control, it's going to be ugly for a lot of hitters.

 

I would have liked to see him finish off the 6th inning. It's the only real negative. But we need the starters to get a little deeper in the games, and I'm really hoping he's going to have the control that will consistently get him through 6.

 

Offense still needs some work, clearly. Mauer, Escobar, and Kepler are doing fine, but Dozier looks like a total mess right now. he was absolutely flailing last night, and looked awful. is Rosario starting a hot streak? Sure could use it.

[bobs]

So much for Romero coming up in August to boost the bullpen.  This should not have surprised anyone after how he threw in ST.

[cmoss84]

Man he is fun to watch. Throwing whiffle balls! If he has good command on a regular basis, he is definitely a front of the rotation guy. 

[Riverbrian]

 

After that outing and coupled with the Twins' recent floundering, I believe there's something approaching a zero chance Romero gets fewer than 3-4 more starts before a decision is made either way.

 

If he continues doing what he did yesterday he will certainly make the decision to keep him on the roster easy.

 

However... I don't think Berrios, Odorizzi, Gibson or Lynn are going anywhere and Santana at the very least will get a spot when he is back and you still got to consider Trevor May. 

 

Barring injury... Romero will have to perform at a consistent high level to not be sent back to Rochester. 

 

May could return to the bullpen... They could go to a 6 man rotation. Lynn could move to the pen. There are things that could be done but Romero is going to need to stay sharp to stay... barring injury or an interesting move. 

 

I love it... Nothing like having options and depth. Like to see some of that for the offense and the pen. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

If he continues doing what he did yesterday he will certainly make the decision to keep him on the roster easy.

 

However... I don't think Berrios, Odorizzi, Gibson or Lynn are going anywhere and Santana at the very least will get a spot when he is back and you still got to consider Trevor May. 

 

Barring injury... Romero will have to perform at a consistent high level to not be sent back to Rochester. 

 

May could return to the bullpen... They could go to a 6 man rotation. Lynn could move to the pen. There are things that could be done but Romero is going to need to stay sharp to stay... barring injury or an interesting move. 

 

I love it... Nothing like having options and depth. Like to see some of that for the offense and the pen. 

Like I say every spring, "too many pitchers" is a problem that usually sorts itself out before it actually becomes a problem.

 

One injury and everything reorganizes itself.

[Oxtung]

After watching a bit of the replay on TV he seemed to leave quite a few pitches over the heart of the plate that Toronto just couldn't handle or hit right at somebody. So, silver lining he has stuff that, at least for one game, was hard to square up. Not so silver lining, eventually somebody will square those balls up. Take your pick of interpretation.

 

On an unrelated note, this start was why I wanted him to start at AAA. He clearly has a great fastball and his slider has real bite to it. I sure hope his changeup continues to develop. 

[FormerMinnasotan]

If he continues doing what he did yesterday he will certainly make the decision to keep him on the roster easy.

 

However... I don't think Berrios, Odorizzi, Gibson or Lynn are going anywhere and Santana at the very least will get a spot when he is back and you still got to consider Trevor May.

 

Barring injury... Romero will have to perform at a consistent high level to not be sent back to Rochester.

 

May could return to the bullpen... They could go to a 6 man rotation. Lynn could move to the pen. There are things that could be done but Romero is going to need to stay sharp to stay... barring injury or an interesting move.

 

I love it... Nothing like having options and depth. Like to see some of that for the offense and the pen.

I could see the Twins going to a 6 man rotation if Romero continues to hold his own. I mean we all know Romero is on an innings limit between 150-160 innings or so. By having a 6 man rotation (provided Romero sticks) will give Romero an extra day between starts allowing him to potentially pitch deeper into this season before he’s shut down. Now I know just hearing from Molly isn’t the best barometer to judge what’ll happen to Romero but I get the sense 1 way or another Romero will stick. Keep in mind while the Twins are grooming Romero to be a starter he’s got no problem either pitching in the rotation or bullpen. I really like this kid, like Berrios Romero really seems to get it and understands what he needs to do to stay with the Big league team. I also love his humility and gratefulness for getting this opportunity.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Like I say every spring, "too many pitchers" is a problem that usually sorts itself out before it actually becomes a problem.

 

One injury and everything reorganizes itself.

Worst case scenario, a guy like Lynn gets offered up at the trade deadline for help elsewhere or prospects... 

[Oxtung]

 

Worst case scenario, a guy like Lynn gets offered up at the trade deadline for help elsewhere or prospects... 

I think you mean best case scenario though that would take a mighty turnaround in a short period of time in which case it isn't at all clear the Twins will want to move Lynn.

 

Regardless your point about having too much good pitching is a good thing (hopefully we aren't far from that).