Game 50, Twins at Mariners
James Paxton vs. Fernando Romero, 7:10pm
The M’s play host to Minnesota as the M’s continue to play the AL Central pretty often in the early season. James Paxton takes the mound and looks to keep his hot streak going. Opposite him is Fernando Romero, a Twins signing out of the DR in 2011. He attracted some attention, but then lost the best part of two seasons to Tommy John surgery, which may be why he doesn’t have a big national profile. He’s been intriguing in a few starts for Minnesota, mixing a high-velo sinker with a sharp slider.
In a way, Romero reminds me a bit of Edwin Diaz back in 2015. Back then, Sugar was a live-armed starter with a great sinking fastball. In the futures game that year, his fastball was notably sinker-ish, and distinct from the four-seamer he’s used in the big leagues. Moving to the pen clearly worked for him, but Romero is something of a window into what Diaz could have been. It’s not a perfect comp, as those don’t exist, but just from a movement/arsenal/velo point of view, it kind of works.
1: Segura, SS
2: Heredia, CF
3: Haniger, RF
4: Cruz, DH
5: Seager, 3B
6: Healy, 1B
7: Gamel, LF
8: Zunino, C
9: Beckham, 2B
SP: Paxton
Wallowing in appreciation.