Fernando Romero (SP, MIN) - Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups

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ANALYSIS: Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Fernando Romero is the next young arm to be called up for his MLB debut, which comes on Wednesday (May 2) at home against the Blue Jays. The rookie has had some spotty control to kick off his 2018 season, but the swing-and-miss stuff is real and if he can pound the strike zone then the MLB-level aggressiveness could play in his favor.

A mid-90s fastball and upper-80s slider should get him through the early going, but he will need to have his changeup working as a third pitch to succeed deep into the game. After allowing six earned runs in 21 innings for Triple-A Rochester (and posting a 3.53 ERA in 125 innings last season for Double-A Chattanooga), the top-70 prospect Romero is ready for his big league debut.

Going against the Blue Jays is not the best of matchups, but Romero flashed strikeout per inning upside in the minors. If he is able to make it through this start without getting mauled, he will likely start against the Cardinals in St. Louis on May 7.