Fernando Romero

Romero showed some promise in the rotation in 2018 with an electric fastball, but struggled with consistency. Minnesota's front office said his velocity could make him an impact reliever, and he was even a dark horse candidate for the closer role. However, all that promise failed to materialize as he struggled in spring training and it carried over to the regular season. Romero had a 4.37 ERA at Triple-A, and while his strikeout rate improved to 24.8% at that level, control continued to be an issue with an 11.4 BB%. He wasn't any better when called to the majors with a 7.07 ERA and 15.3 BB%. However, his high strikeout rates and 97-mph average fastball show his potential if he can reduce his walks and induce weaker contact. With Minnesota's improving bullpen talent, it's possible Romero missed his window to win a high-leverage role with the Twins.

Romero will compete for a spot in Minnesota's starting rotation this spring after his debut last season highlighted his impressive velocity and inconsistency. Romero's hot start at Triple-A (2.57 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 21 innings) led to a callup in April. He dazzled in his first five starts with a 1.88 ERA and 9.1 K/9. However, he ran out of gas in his next five starts with a 7.54 ERA, 6.0 K/9 and 2.0 HR/9. While Romero had an impressive 95.4 mph average fastball, he had just a 54.7% first strike rate and struggled with his command. He then surprisingly struggled after returning to Triple-A (4.03 ERA and just a 6.7 K/9), which cost him a callup in September even though it looked like he could benefit from more MLB innings. Romero's role for 2019 is uncertain since he seemed to get lost in the shuffle late last season. He could win a rotation spot or a bullpen role, but might need a month or two at Triple-A to show he's over last year's late-season decline.

Romero was once again dominant, but the most impressive aspect of the 6-foot, 215-pound righty's season was that he reached 125 innings for the first time in his career. Every short pitcher faces questions about a potential move to the bullpen, and when Tommy John is on the resume, those concerns only intensify. So far he has proven he can handle the rigors of pitching every fifth day. His fastball sits in the mid-90s and his slider can serve as a putaway pitch. Romero's changeup also flashes above-average potential, although it still needs work. He finished seventh in the Southern League in K-BB% (13.8 percent) and fourth in groundball rate (52 percent), which is an ideal combination. Romero has only given up six home runs in 303.1 pro innings, which is really impressive for a pitcher of his stature. His season ended in late August due to a shoulder impingement, but if he enters camp healthy, he could be on the fast track to the majors, as he is already on the 40-man roster. He has No. 3 starter upside.

Romero missed the 2015 season following Tommy John surgery, but he wasted no time last year reminding people of the promise he had flashed in rookie ball. He posted a 1.93 ERA (2.00 FIP) in 11 starts at High-A Fort Myers after posting similarly dominant numbers at Low-A. Romero has more upside than any other Twins pitching prospect, thanks to a monster fastball that can hit 100 mph and a hard wipeout slider that led to a 26.9 percent strikeout rate. He is 6-foot, 215 pounds, and while he is not as tall as a traditional starter, he is broad enough to conceivably handle a starter's workload. If his changeup continues to come along and he can be more consistent with his command, Romero could someday pitch near the top of a rotation. He has a nice floor as a power reliever. This season will be an important opportunity for Romero to build on the 90.1 innings he logged last season, as his injury history and height will always tempt evaluators to peg him as a future reliever.