MLB Player Profile: Ricky Romero
Ricardo Romero, Jr. commonly known as Ricky Romero plays for the Toronto Blue Jays as starting pitcher. He was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 2005 amateur draft as the sixth overall pick and became the first pitcher to be selected in the draft.
The left-handed pitcher, standing at six feet, was born on November 6, 1984. His interest in baseball dates back to his high school years when he was awarded the Most Valuable Player for the Eastern League after a 12-1 win-loss record and 162 strike-outs
at an ERA of 0.53.
Ricky attended Cal State Fullerton from 2001 to 2005 and his four years at college saw him achieve many laurels. He was picked for the U.S. National Team after guiding the Titans to the National Title in 2004. He pitched his team to victory after winning
the first game of the 2004 College World Series against Texas. Romero’s achievement brought him to the limelight and the scouts were quick to grab him as soon as him name came up.
Romero was given a signing bonus of $2.1-million when he contracted with the Blue Jays in June 2005 and started his professional career with the Auburn Doubledays where he played the short-season. His performance was graceful and earned him a promotion to
play for Dunedin.
The next two season, however, were cut short by injuries and he could not make an impact with shoulder and elbow problems restricting him from pitching. He finally regained 100 percent fitness in 2008 and was elevated to Triple-A affiliate Syracuse. After
initial struggle with precision Romero came back strong and made his debut for the Blue Jays on April 9, 2009.
His debut in the Major League Baseball was special. He earned one of the top two rotation spots for the Blue Jays in his opening season after a strong performance against the Houston Astros before his MLB debut.
Romero’s debut game made history when he faced Rick Porcello of Detroit Tigers. Porcello was also a first-round pick on debut and it was the first time in the history of the League that two first-round picks were competing against each other. A lot was at
stake and it was Romero who prevailed in the game to mark the beginning of an illustrious career.
Ricky started 29 games for the Blue Jays in his debut year and was quick to impress, finishing with 141 strike-outs. He displayed his arm strength as well as his wide repertoire of deliveries to register a 13-9 win-loss record at an ERA of 4.30. Although
an inch higher, his ERA was satisfactory given that it was his first year in the Majors. Romero was quick to see this and has since continually worked harder to improve his ERA, bringing it down to 2.98 in 2011.
Romero replicated his excellent form in his second season at the Majors and bagged 174 strike-outs in 32 starts. In 210 innings, the right-hander gave away just 98 runs at an ERA of 3.73. He went a step ahead in showing in arm strength as he recorded his
first complete-game shutout. In total, he pitched three complete games that season. His win-loss record improved to 14-9 in 2010.
Consistency has been the key for Romero’s success and he has not let that factor fade away. The current season has been the best of his career thus far as he has already bagged 133 strike-outs and is well set to reach the 200 strike-outs mark this season.
His ERA has improved significantly and with humility in his attitude, success is assured for Ricky Romero.
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