SF Giants add 2024-2025 LIDOM Pitcher of the Year on minors deal

The SF Giants have added more competition in the upper minors from the left side. Veteran hurler and 2024 - 2025 LIDOM Pitcher of the Year Enny Romero has joined the Giants on a minor deal, per the team's transaction log.

SF Giants add 2024-2025 LIDOM Pitcher of the Year on minors deal

Romero has not pitched in affiliated ball since he threw for a trio of organizations in 2018. He has not pitched in the regular season at any level since 2022.

The 33-year-old pitcher has continued pitching in winter ball in just about every season. This includes a strong season this year where he posted a 1.24 ERA with 47 strikeouts against 19 walks in 51 innings with Aguilas Cibaenas of the Dominican Winter League. Interestingly, Romero was teammates with current Giants infielder Jerar Encarnación. He was also in the same rotation as Johnny Cueto, who pitched briefly in the majors last season.

Romero originally signed with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2008 out of the Dominican Republic. He has posted a 3.72 ERA in 11 minor league seasons with the Rays, Washington Nationals, Kansas City Royals, and Pittsurgh Pirates.

The southpaw pitcher debuted with the Rays in 2013 and has appeared in parts of five seasons in the majors. He has pitched to a 5.12 ERA, 4.30 FIP, 1.60 WHIP, 9.6 K/9, and a 2.11 SO/W rate during that time.

More recently, Romero has competed in the NPB where he has tallied a 3.60 ERA in three seasons. In the past, he has flashed a mid-90's four-seam fastball with a slider and a curveball. The slider is his go-to secondary offering while he relies heavily on the fastball. These are observations from several years ago, so that may not be the most up-to-date information.

The Giants have a need for another left-handed reliever in the bullpen. Erik Miller was Bob Melvin's go-to lefty out of the bullpen in 2024 while Taylor Rogers was rarely used in leverage spots.

The Giants have invited some competition from the left side to the mix such as Antonio Jimenez, Raymond Burgos, and Ethan Small to go along with Romero. There could be an opening for another lefty to crack the Opening Day roster.