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Jordan Romano 2023 MLB Player Outlook: ADP Overvalued Following 36-Save Season
2 years agoToronto Blue Jays pitcher Jordan Romano grew into one of the better closers in baseball in 2023 as the right-hander earned 36 saves to tie him for fourth in the big leagues alongside Josh Hader. However, besides saves, Romano didn't play with the big boys in his category. His 28.3% K% and 20.2% K-BB% were strong but far from elite for a closer. Romano's 2.11 ERA sat notably below his 2.82 FIP and 3.02 SIERA, while his Statcast metrics were suspect. Romano ranked in the eighth percentile in average exit velocity, fourth in hard-hit rate, and 57th in barrel rate. Despite an elevated fly-ball rate of 39.2% and plenty of hard contact, Romano yielded home runs on just 6.5% of fly-balls put in play, nearly half his 12.5% mark from 2021. His HR rate is almost certain to rise next season, with Steamer projecting a 0.98 HR/9 clip over his 0.56 mark from 2021. He's projected to save 32 games on a strong Blue Jays club, but his ERA is pegged at 3.41 with a decent 19.7% K-BB%. Rotoballer's ninth-ranked reliever should have his name called around the 37th pick in standard 15-team leagues but tread with caution as projections call for regression across the board.
