Article: MIN 6, STL 0: Fernand0 R0mer0!

[Tom Froemming]

Fernando Romero couldn’t possibly improve upon his impressive major league debut, right? Wrong.

 

Romero shut out the Cardinals over six innings, striking out nine batters in the process. He gave up just three hits and walked three. That’s now 11 2/3 shutout innings to open his career.Snapshot (chart via FanGraphs)

Download attachment: Snapshot57.png Download attachment: WinEx57.png

Being a Twins fan, I’ve just conditioned myself to go into things expecting the worst, particularly when it comes to pitchers. I came up with dozens of legit excuses that could’ve been made if Romero came out and had a bad start.

 

Sure, he had already gotten his debut out of the way, but this was his first road start. Pitching in enemy territory can be difficult. While they’ve had some injuries, the Cardinals lineup is among the more patient in baseball. That’s not easy to contend with.

 

Let’s see what else? There’s the difference between the MLB ball and the one they use in the minors. That really seemed to be an issue for Jose Berrios (pun intended). Romero was also going to have to hit for the first time since he was a young boy. You could see where that may have messed with his nerves. Plus, he had to deal with Robbie Grossman being his right fielder.

 

OK, that last one was a joke.

 

Nothing seemed to faze Romero. He actually didn’t have excellent command, but his pitches were so nasty it didn’t matter. He got strikeouts when he needed, and in his final inning he induced a huge double play when he really needed it. St. Louis got its leadoff man aboard in three separate innings. It didn’t matter.

Looking at his mannerisms, body language and pace, it appeared as though Romero was just throwing on the backfields in spring training.

Romero got 14 swinging strikes on his 97 pitches and topped out at 98.1 mph. His final three pitches of the evening were clocked at 97.1, 96.2 and 96.5, according to Baseball Savant.

One thing that had to have helped Romero settle in was the fact the bats gave him a two-run lead before he took the mound. Joe Mauer drew a leadoff walk and both Max Kepler and Eddie Rosario delivered RBI doubles.

 

Rosario would hit a second double later on in this game. He absolutely tattooed the ball again tonight, hitting both those balls in excess of 103 mph. I know I took a cheap shot at our friend Robbie earlier, but he had a really nice night at the plate as well. Grossman was 3-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored.

 

Along with helping Romero navigate the St. Louis lineup, catcher Bobby Wilson was 1-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. The Twins offense seems to have been stuck in an all-or-nothing mode, but they managed to score their six runs tonight without the benefit of a home run.

 

Trevor Hildenberger pitched a perfect seventh, continuing an upward trend for him, and Matt Magill handled the final two innings to preserve the shutout. In all, the Cardinals managed just four hits.

 

It was a pretty great night, and it ended with the Twins picking up their fourth straight victory.

 

Postgame With Romero

Bullpen Usage

Here’s a quick look at the number of pitches thrown by the bullpen over the past five days:

Download attachment: Bullpen57.png

Next Three Games

Tue at STL, 12:15 pm CT

Thu at LAA, 9:07 pm CT

Fri at LAA, 9:07 pm CT

 

Last Three Games

MIN 5, CHW 3: Rosario Lifts Twins to Third Straight Victory

MIN 8, CHW 4: Rosario Drives in Five

MIN 6, CHW 4: Twins Slug Four Homers in Victory

 

More From Twins Daily

What's Gotten Into Kyle Gibson?

Week in Review: Baby Steps

Edwar Colina: From Chilly Home Opener to No-Hitter

 

Click here to view the article

[Mike Sixel]

Great start again. Very encouraging

[TheLeviathan]

He's probably going to need a third pitch....but man does he have life on the two he throws.

 

Is it true what the broadcast said that he's only allowed 7 HRs in his entire professional career?

[DocBauer]

First: Great win! I mean, all the components were there, what else can you say?

 

Second: We often joke when someone gets hurt, or performs poorly, (to ease the pain of course), with a comment such as "Why can't we have nice things?" The truth is...despite that horrendous stretch and some current injuries and the Polanco suspension, UGH...we have a LOT of nice "things" on this team. (Buxton and Sano healthy and figuring a few things out could actually have us borderline ecstatic and bouncing off walls!)

 

Romero looks almost too good to be true! Except, I don't think that's the case. We've heard and read for some time now good he could be. He flashed in ST. He looks poised in control of himself on the mound. Reminds me very much of Berrios. (Although maybe he's a bit more relaxed that Berrios? At least at comparable points in their career) But please, let's not wig out or get despondent when he inevitably has a rough game or two, or a stretch. It's natural.

 

Third: And perhaps I'm as carried away as anyone with "Romero Fever", but I was thinking tonight while listening to the game about his "expected" IP limit for this season. He pitched 90 innings in 2016 and jumped to 125 in 2017 when his season ended on a somewhat down note with shoulder issues, though they were reported to be, and appear to have been, mild in nature.

 

Considering a normal growth arc, could/should we expect another jump in IP to around 160? For a young, rookie pitcher I think that would be a fair total. Combined in this young season, he's at 33 IP thus far between Rochester and his 2 wonderful starts with the Twins. If he can average 6 IP per start, for math sake, that puts him at a total of just over 26 total starts for the season. Not bad, but not in the 30-32 start category you'd want from a rotation fixture. Of course, he's young, a rookie, and only joined the team a week ago.

 

The whole point being, no matter his talent, great start, or how well he pitches the rest of the way, I wonder if the opportunity will exists to skip him one time still the first half, catch a break around the All Star game, and maybe skip a turn in the second half to keep him as fresh as possible come September. A bit of too forward thinking? Perhaps. But it just got me wondering.

[Dantes929]

 

He's probably going to need a third pitch....but man does he have life on the two he throws.

 

Is it true what the broadcast said that he's only allowed 7 HRs in his entire professional career?

Fastball, slider, change up.   I think he might have thrown a few curve balls as well.   He probably won't need any others.  Fine tune the command is probably his best aspiration.    Nitpicking shutouts but less than three walks per 9 would be nice.

[twinsfanstreif]

He's probably going to need a third pitch....but man does he have life on the two he throws.

 

Is it true what the broadcast said that he's only allowed 7 HRs in his entire professional career?

 

He does have 3, FB, Slider, Change Up. The Change and the slider are really similar, that's why you're probably thinking they're the same pitch

[bluechipper]

I actually thought Romero had great control. He was missing by inches and wasn't getting any leeway calls from the umpire. He is a beast.

[Old Twins Cap]

Wow.

 

Easy motion, devastating pitches.

 

Repeatable.

 

This is our Ace.

 

What's his swinging strike percentage?

 

Wow.

[DocBauer]

He's probably going to need a third pitch....but man does he have life on the two he throws.

 

Is it true what the broadcast said that he's only allowed 7 HRs in his entire professional career?

 

No question he needs refinement, as most any young pitcher does. BIG and NASTY FB with a "change" in the low 90's and a slider in the high 80's. I hate to ask because it just sounds so incredulous, but is his change too hard? But I am confused because on the radio tonight I heard the announcers say he threw a curve. I didn't think he threw one. I'm assuming it was simply a mistake. Or am I mistaken?

[bluechipper]

 

He's probably going to need a third pitch....but man does he have life on the two he throws.

 

Is it true what the broadcast said that he's only allowed 7 HRs in his entire professional career?

Yes, 0.2 HR/9 in the minors. A heavy 97 will do that.

[ttreadway]

I was pretty impressed with matt magill tonight. First time ive watched him pitch. But if he is our “blow-out and mop-up guy” and pitches like that, thats a pretty good weapon.

 

Many other plusses from the game tonight...we beat a good team, not just the white sox, rosario continues to be on fire, and Romero looks awesome! Figured id just call out the guy most likely to be the unsung hero of the game.

[Han Joelo]

Fernando has some serious mojo, on the mound and at the mic. Appointment viewing for now.

[ashbury]

 

MIN 6, STL 0: Fernand0 R0mer0!

OrLAAANdo... CePEDa!

 

FerNAAANdo... RoMERo!

 

Sounds like a star in the making, to me.

[TheLeviathan]

 

He does have 3, FB, Slider, Change Up. The Change and the slider are really similar, that's why you're probably thinking they're the same pitch

 

Fair enough....I guess I meant he'll probably need a third pitch with a bit more of a difference.  Then again, we've seen some really good pitchers have success with a few dominant pitches.

 

I just tend to think a high-end starter needs one more.  And he has so many ingredients otherwise to be brilliant.

 

(Or maybe he has it and just didn't have command of it to throw tonight, I don't know.  We're only two starts in to watching this kid)

Edited May 8, 2018 by TheLeviathan

[dgwills]

Yay! I love seeing prospects work out. Have to mention his English. Great pronunciation. Needs a bit more flow and variety though. I'm sure he'll get by the first cy young award

 

[Brandon]

Seems the rotation is now firing on all cylindars. What happens when Santana is ready, or May, or Pineda or Gonsalves is pitching lights out too....

[Rosterman]

Yep. Why Bobby WIlson catching insted of Garver, Romero's catcher of the future?

 

Grossman in right field? Okay. LaMarre needed to pinch-hit, I guess.

 

Magill got two innings. Saving bullpen for tomorrow, before an off day.

 

But...hey,. the Twins Won!

[diehardtwinsfan]

Loving what I see so far from him. The command should improve a bit with time and comfort, though if STL is more patient, that might be way he had 3 walks instead of 1 or 2... but 9 Ks and 3 hits. wow. 

 

SP is not problem right now, and with the bats heating up, we could go on a run.

[FormerMinnasotan]

First: Great win! I mean, all the components were there, what else can you say?

 

Second: We often joke when someone gets hurt, or performs poorly, (to ease the pain of course), with a comment such as "Why can't we have nice things?" The truth is...despite that horrendous stretch and some current injuries and the Polanco suspension, UGH...we have a LOT of nice "things" on this team. (Buxton and Sano healthy and figuring a few things out could actually have us borderline ecstatic and bouncing off walls!)

 

Romero looks almost too good to be true! Except, I don't think that's the case. We've heard and read for some time now good he could be. He flashed in ST. He looks poised in control of himself on the mound. Reminds me very much of Berrios. (Although maybe he's a bit more relaxed that Berrios? At least at comparable points in their career) But please, let's not wig out or get despondent when he inevitably has a rough game or two, or a stretch. It's natural.

 

Third: And perhaps I'm as carried away as anyone with "Romero Fever", but I was thinking tonight while listening to the game about his "expected" IP limit for this season. He pitched 90 innings in 2016 and jumped to 125 in 2017 when his season ended on a somewhat down note with shoulder issues, though they were reported to be, and appear to have been, mild in nature.

 

Considering a normal growth arc, could/should we expect another jump in IP to around 160? For a young, rookie pitcher I think that would be a fair total. Combined in this young season, he's at 33 IP thus far between Rochester and his 2 wonderful starts with the Twins. If he can average 6 IP per start, for math sake, that puts him at a total of just over 26 total starts for the season. Not bad, but not in the 30-32 start category you'd want from a rotation fixture. Of course, he's young, a rookie, and only joined the team a week ago.

 

The whole point being, no matter his talent, great start, or how well he pitches the rest of the way, I wonder if the opportunity will exists to skip him one time still the first half, catch a break around the All Star game, and maybe skip a turn in the second half to keep him as fresh as possible come September. A bit of too forward thinking? Perhaps. But it just got me wondering.

I think 2 things about Romero are different from Berrios. First, when Berrios came up to the big leagues he had some issues with his mechanics from his wind-up, Romero doesn’t have that issue as his mechanics are simpler and repeatable. Secondly Berrios was known as a higher adrenaline pitcher, a pitcher who if over excited could have some breakdowns with command and control as in those spots Berrios was pone to overpitch, Romero on the other hand seems less excitable in that respect and perhaps has better confidence in his pitches at this juncture than Berrios did. Edited May 8, 2018 by FormerMinnasotan

[Jordan1212]

92 mph changeup thats all that needs to be said, so sweet we finally got someone of this potential

[RaoulDuke]

Its been incredible to watch this guy for 2 games.  I love that he is home grown from the system and I love that he looks ready after making a huge jump from AA without a ton of innings even there.  He seems to not be intimidated and trusts his stuff vs MLB hitters already, hes even joking around like no big deal in the dugout which is a really good sign to me.

 

His fastball is nasty and he seems like he can give it some cut or run depending on which side of the plate hes throwing too.  That low and away fastball hitting the corner of the zone at 97 is a devastating pitch and he seems to be able to command that spot. 

 

The slider has excellent break and he can really bury it off that same corner he hits with the fastball, which makes both even better.  He does seem to lack control of it a bit and has spun/ hung/ wildly missed with a few. 

 

The change is kinda confusing, he must not be able to get the same arm speed/ deception if he throws it any slower.  It must look somewhat like a hung slider coming in at that speed so maybe it is deceptive in a weird way, hitter thinks they are getting a slider they can handle and then it drops on them

 

Overall he overcomes some offspeed inconsistency with the power on his fastball as hitters have to be worried about 97 foremost.

 

Comparing him to Berrios is kinda fun, both have big fastballs/ nasty breaking stuff/ inconsistent changes/ no 4th pitch.  Romero has more control/ speed and Berrios has more break.  I think Romero could be more consistent because his fastball is the main weapon whereas Berrios relies on his curve being on and getting called for strikes.

 

Add Gonsalvez to the mix eventually and the Twins rotation is going to be an absolute joy to watch.

[Pitz]

Giddy

[Circus Boy]

So much to like, but can't help but wonder how the game would have gone without Rosario's terrific catch. Can you make a game-saving play in the first inning? I say, "Absolutely!"

[big dog]

I've told this story before, but I was watching Romero pitch in 2016 when Cedar Rapids came to Beloit.  We were sitting next to the Beloit pitchers who were using the gun and charting pitches.  They were just drooling about his stuff.  At one point a pitch was thrown and the guy charting was silent for a second and then said. "Changeup at 91.  That's just sick."

 

If it's only 5-6 mph below his fastball that doesn't seem like enough, but batters definitely seem to be out in front on it so far.  Hopefully that holds up!  Loving it so far, obviously.  Must-See TV.

[Tomj14]

Hey looked great.

The question I have is did the Twins wait too long to promote, or was it perfect timing?

IMO if he can come in and do this in the majors, they waited too long, but we won't really know until he gets a few more starts under his belt.

 

[Han Joelo]

 

Hey looked great.

The question I have is did the Twins wait too long to promote, or was it perfect timing?

IMO if he can come in and do this in the majors, they waited too long, but we won't really know until he gets a few more starts under his belt.

Before answering your question, are you sure you want to know the truth?

 

 

[rdehring]

Not concerned that he has only three pitches because his fastball is at least two different pitches the way he moves it.  Needs some work on his change, hopefully getting it a couple mph slower.

 

Romero and Berrios or Berrios and Romero?  Damn, this is exciting.

 

And like Doc Bauer, I have been thinking about his innings during both of his starts.  What might work well when Trevor May is ready to join the Twins in July, move him to the bullpen.  Limiting him to a couple innings every five days would cut the # of innings from say 30 (5*6) to 10.  Then get him back into his regular starting spot in September so he is available for game #1 or game #2 in the playoffs.

 

This plan would solve two problems, keeping Romero available for the playoffs AND creating a spot for Trevor May when he is available.  Now, how do we find a spot for Santana next month?

[tarheeltwinsfan]

 

Giddy

Giddy - up!

[T_J]

Extend him NOW!!! 

 

That's one of those kidding not kidding things...

 

He might be ROY Runner up this year!

[twinssouth]

Man that was a fun game to watch. I just can't get over Romero. His pitches, easy delivery, nasty stuff, hitting the outside corner low n away on serious heat. Dam, we got our Ace. Also, Rosario, Kepler, Escobar, "Keep on Trucking" Wilson had great games.