Minnesota Twins in a bold and unexpected move name Fernando Romero Wednesday’s starter

The Minnesota Twins made a shocking move Monday and named No. 2 prospect Fernando Romero their starter for Wednesday’s game against the Blue Jays.

The Minnesota Twins have been struggling all around as they have lost 9 of their last 10 games. In an attempt to improve their team and maybe inject some missing life into the club, the Twins have announced Fernando Romero as the starter for Wednesday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Romero is widely regarded as the Twins top starting pitching prospect with only Stephen Gonsalves close behind him. As Gonsalves was recently bumped into the Triple-A rotation where Romero started the season. Now Twins fans will be able to enjoy Romero’s bump up to the majors.

This is not the move that was expected for Romero at this point in the season. All signs pointed to the Twins taking their time with the right-hander much like they did with current staff “ace” Jose Berrios last season. It is the combination of Romero looking like he is ready for the majors based on his Triple-A performance of 21.0 innings in 4 games with a 2.57 ERA and 20 strikeouts. As well as the Twins front office clearly signalling that they are tired of the underperforming state of the current starting rotation.

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Romero will be replacing Phil Hughes in the starting rotation as the Twins 5th starter. Hughes has made two starts with the Twins this season and has compiled a 7.71 ERA and is now moving to the bullpen. This was to be expected as he has had to leave the game in the middle of the third inning in both of his 2018 starts.

While Romero is stepping into the 5th spot in the rotation, he has the stuff to be much more than a 5th starter. The right-hander is able to run his fastball in the high 90s and then come back with his off-speed stuff in the lower 80s. A combination of pitches that can certainly keep hitters off-balance.

While the Twins improved their pitching staff over the winter, even if the results haven’t been there yet, this could be the biggest addition yet. Depending on just how durable and successful Romero can be in his first taste of the major leagues the Twins may have just added a top of the rotation starter.

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As the Twins sit at 9-14 after an awful stretch, this move brings some much needed positive news at a critical time. It will be interesting to see if Romero can keep up his solid performances from spring training and the start of the Triple-A season and translate them into major league success.