Fernando Romero #77

Fernando Ernesto Romero....Hobbies include playing pool and fishing....Spent entire 2020 season on Twins restricted list. ...Missed 2015 season recovering from “Tommy John” surgery....Originally signed by Twins scouts Fred Guerrero and Hector Otero.

2022

In second season with Yokohama BayStars in Japanese Central League, made 23 appearances (18 starts), going 6-8 with a 4.87 ERA (92.1 IP - 50 ER) and 54 strikeouts... Ranked fourth on BayStars staff with 92.1 innings pitched... Began year in BayStars rotation, with his first 18 games all coming as starts, before moving to bullpen, Sept. 19... Was unscored upon in four of five relief outings, going 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA (5 IP - 2 ER) as a reliever.

2019

Optioned from Twins spring training (third of career) to Triple-A Rochester on March 22, where he began the season....Spent four stints with the Twins, pitching in seven games during April-May across two separate stints, once again in June and his final seven outings in September... nine of 14 relief appearances on the season for the Twins were scoreless....Placed on 7-day Injured List while with Rochester on June 20 with a lower back strain; reinstated July 12. ...Spent entire season as a reliever between Rochester and Minnesota with the exception of being an Opener July 12 for the Red Wings vs. Lehigh Valley (1.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R/0 ER, 1 HR, 1 K). ...Best month came in August, posting a 3.86 ERA (16.1 IP, 7 ER) with 19 strikeouts in 12 games for the Red Wings....24 of 35 appearances for Rochester lasted more than 1.0 inning; by contrast, 12 of his 15 appearances with Minnesota were 1.0 inning or less...Recalled by Minnesota for final time September 3.

2018

Optioned from Twins spring training (second of career) to Double-A Chattanooga March 13...Did not make a start for the Lookouts and was promoted to Triple-A Rochester on April 2...Made four starts for the Red Wings prior to being recalled by Minnesota on May 2...Made major league debut in a start May 2, 2018 vs. Toronto, pitching 5.2-scoreless innings with four hits allowed, three walks and five strikeouts...became the first Twins pitcher to win in his debut since Felix Jorge on July 1, 2017 at Kansas City...Won his second start May 7 at St. Louis, pitching 6.0-scoreless innings with three hits, three walks and nine strikeouts...Began major league career with a 15.2-inning scoreless streak, second longest streak to start a career in club history since 1974, trailing just Andrew Albers (17.1 IP) in 2013...Made 10 more starts for the Twins and was optioned to Rochester June 24...After three starts for the Red Wings, was recalled again by Minnesota July 14 to make one start on Jul 15 vs. Tampa Bay, optioned back post-game and completed the season at Rochester...Led Rochester in starts (13), innings pitched (90.2), second in strikeouts (69), and tied for second in wins (5)...Combined to go 8-9, 4.00 ERA (146.1 IP, 65 ER) with 51 walks and 114 strikeouts in 27 games (24 starts) between Minnesota and Rochester.

2017

Optioned from Twins spring training to Double-A Chattanooga March 13 where he spent the entire season ... Pitched first professional complete game June 25 vs. Pensacola, pitching 7.0-shutout innings with three hits allowed, three walks and six strikeouts ... Named Southern League Midseason All-Star ... Named Twins minor league Player of the Week July 29, going 2-0, 0.90 ERA (10.0 IP, 1 ER) with four walks and 15 strikeouts in two starts for the Lookouts ... Combined to go 6-1, 1.68 (53.2 IP, 10 ER) in 10 starts between June and July combined ... Placed on 7-day disabled list with right shoulder impingement August 24, ending his season ... Held right-handed hitters to a .239 average and left-handed hitters to a .276 average ... Tied for seventh in all of Double-A in wins (11) ... Named sixth best prospect in Twins system by Baseball America, entering 2018.

2016

Began season with Single-A Cedar Rapids on 7-day disabled list; reinstated May 20 (right elbow surgery). Named Midwest League Pitcher of the Week May 22, making one start against Quad Cities (May 20), pitching 5.0 no-hit innings, with no walks and four strikeouts; it marked his first start since returning from "Tommy John" surgery in 2014. Made five starts for the Kernels and was promoted to Single-A Ft. Myers June 22. Named Twins minor league Player of the Week August 13, making one start against Charlotte (August 12), pitching 7.0 shutout innings, with six hits allowed, no walks and a career-high 11 strikeouts. Combined to go 9-3, 1.89 ERA (90.1 IP, 19 ER) with 15 walks and 90 strikeouts in 16 starts between Cedar Rapids and Ft. Myers...held right-handed batters to a .187 (29-for-155) average and left-handed batters to a .215 (37-for-172) average. Added to Twins 40-man roster November 18. Ranked fourth best prospect and best fastball in Twins system by Baseball America, entering 2017.

2015

Missed entire season on the disabled list recovering from elbow surgery on July 22, 2014...ranked 29th best prospect in the Twins system by Baseball America entering 2016.

2014

Made three starts for Single-A Cedar Rapids before being placed on the 7-day disabled list with a right elbow UCL sprain June 27, missing the remainder of the season...named the 24th best prospect in the Twins system by Baseball America entering 2015.

2013

Ranked the 12th best prospect in the Twins system by Baseball America entering 2014.

2012

Spent first professional season with DSL Twins, going 1-4, 4.65 ERA (31.0 IP, 16 ER) with 14 walks and 28 strikeouts in 14 games (6 starts).