Seth Romero

Seth Romero
Washington Nationals
Pitcher
Born: (1996-04-19) April 19, 1996
West Columbia, Texas
Bats: Left Throws: Left

Seth Daniel Romero (born April 19, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Washington Nationals organization. He previously pitched for the University of Houston Cougars in college and was the Nationals' top draft pick in 2017.

Career

Academic

Romero attended Columbia High School in West Columbia, Texas. As a senior, he had a 1.35 earned run average (ERA) with 131 strikeouts over 62 innings. He was not drafted coming out of high school and attended the University of Houston where he played college baseball for the Cougars.

As a freshman at Houston in 2015, Romero appeared in 22 games and made eight starts. He had a 7–4 record with a 1.94 ERA, 92 strikeouts and seven saves. Prior to his sophomore season in 2016, he was suspended indefinitely for "conduct detrimental to the team",[1] described in media reports as poor physical conditioning.[2] He returned from the suspension after missing two starts, crediting his weight loss to the work of Houston strength and conditioning coach Ryan Deatrick,[3] and appeared in 15 games with 13 starts.[4] He finished 6–4 with a 2.29 ERA and 113 strikeouts.[5]

As a junior in April 2017, Romero was suspended by the team for a second time,[6] reportedly after failing a drug test, missing curfew, and being photographed in uniform holding a bong.[7] At the time of the suspension, he was 3–3 with a 3.03 ERA and was leading the nation with 76 strikeouts.[8][9] He was re-instated in May.[10] However, Romero played just two games after being reinstated before he was dismissed from the team.[11][7] The Houston Chronicle reported Romero had been involved in a fight with a teammate, precipitating his final dismissal from the team after a series of previous disciplinary incidents.[12]

Professional

Romero was drafted 25th overall in the 2017 MLB Draft by the Washington Nationals.[2] He signed with the team on July 7, reportedly accepting an over-slot $2.8 million signing bonus.[13] While the Nationals' scouting director said he believed Romero's "stuff" could immediately be effective in Major League Baseball, the team's general manager, Mike Rizzo, said he did not expect Romero to make his major league debut in the 2017 season.[14]

Pitching style

Romero throws left-handed, with a fastball that sits at about 93 miles per hour (150 km/h). He also throws a slider regarded by scouts as "above-average", as well as a changeup. In college, he was known as a strikeout pitcher with solid command of his pitches.[15] After drafting Romero, the Washington Nationals said publicly they planned to develop him as a starting pitcher rather than pressing him into a relief role.[16]

References

  1. ↑ Duarte, Joseph (February 16, 2016). "UH baseball suspends Seth Romero indefinitely". The Houston Chronicle. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  2. 1 2 Collier, Jamal (June 13, 2017). "Nats draft talented dismissed lefty Romero". MLB.com. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  3. ↑ Duarte, Joseph (February 14, 2017). "UH's Seth Romero not focusing on MLB draft". The Houston Chronicle. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  4. ↑ Oppermann, Anthony. "With Seth Romero’s return, Houston hopes to find consistency".
  5. ↑ "UH's Seth Romero not focusing on MLB draft".
  6. ↑ "UH lefthander Seth Romero suspended indefinitely".
  7. 1 2 "Houston dismisses left-hander Seth Romero from baseball team". ABC News. May 10, 2017. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  8. ↑ "Missteps could drop UH pitcher Seth Romero out of first round of MLB draft".
  9. ↑ "Houston Suspends Ace Seth Romero Indefinitely - BaseballAmerica.com". 8 April 2017.
  10. ↑ "Around sports: UH pitcher Seth Romero reinstated after month-long suspension".
  11. ↑ http://www.chron.com/sports/cougars/article/UH-lefty-pitcher-Seth-Romero-dismissed-from-team-11135878.php
  12. ↑ Duarte, Joseph (May 11, 2017). "UH pitcher Seth Romero dismissed from team". The Houston Chronicle. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  13. ↑ Janes, Chelsea (July 7, 2017). "Nationals sign first-round pick Seth Romero for just over slot value". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  14. ↑ Janes, Chelsea (June 13, 2017). "Nationals select left-hander Seth Romero in MLB draft’s first round". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  15. ↑ Sickels, John (March 7, 2017). "2017 MLB Draft Profile: Seth Romero, LHP, University of Houston". Minor League Ball. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  16. ↑ Lusk, Lacy (June 13, 2017). "Nationals Plan to Develop Seth Romero as a Starter". Baseball America. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
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