Sergio Romo, Retired

Date of Birth: 3/4/1983
Birthplace: Brawley, California
College: Arizona Western College, University of North Alabama, Mesa State College

Sergio Romo, retired relief pitcher, was a top pitcher when he was at Mesa State College. In his senior year, he was named the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year. He was also named their All-Time Top Pitcher.

The San Francisco Giants drafted Romo in 2005. He pitched in their minor league system from 2005 through 2007. In 2008, he split his time between the major and minor leagues, pitching in 29 games with the Giants. He had a 2.12 ERA in 34.0 innings. He missed time in 2009 with injuries, pitching in 45 games with the Giants. He had a 3.97 ERA in 34.0 innings.

In 2010, his first full season in the majors, Romo pitched a career high 62.0 innings in 68 games. He finished the season with 5 wins and 3 losses, 70 strikeouts to 14 walks, and a 2.18 ERA. He didn't fare nearly as well in the postseason, finishing with a 7.36 ERA in 3.2 innings in 6 games. He gave up 6 hits and 3 runs.

Romo had a strong 2011 season, finishing with a career low ERA of 1.50. He had excellent control, striking out 70 batters while walking just 5 in 48.0 innings in 65 games.

Romo became the Giants' closer for part of 2012. He finished the season with 14 saves, 63 strikeouts to 10 walks, and a 1.79 ERA in 55.1 innings in 69 games. He also had a strong postseason in 2012, finishing with a 0.84 ERA in 10.2 innings in 10 games.

In 2013, Romo was the Giants full-time closer. He had a 2.54 ERA and 38 saves in 60.1 innings in 65 games. The next season, he finished with a 2.54 ERA and 23 saves in 58.0 innings in 64 games. He lost the closer job in 2015, but he still had a strong season, finishing with a 2.98 ERA. He had a career high 71 strikeouts to just 10 walks in 57.1 innings in a career high 70 games.

Romo spent time on the DL in 2016 with a right elbow strain. He finished the season with a 2.64 ERA, 4 saves, and 33 strikeouts to 7 walks in 30.2 innings in 40 games. In the postseason, he gave up 2 hits and 3 runs in 2.0 innings in 2 games and he had a 13.50 ERA.

Romo became a free agent on November 3, 2016. He signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on February 15, 2017. He was traded to the Rays on July 22, 2017. He finished the 2017 season with 3 wins and 1 loss, 59 strikeouts to 19 walks, and a 3.56 ERA in 30 games with the Dodgers and 25 games with the Rays.

Romo finished the 2018 season with 3 wins and 4 losses, 25 saves, 75 strikeouts to 20 walks, and a 4.14 ERA in 67.1 innings in 73 games.

Romo elected free agency on October 29, 2018. He signed with the Miami Marlins on February 15, 2019. He was traded to the Minnesota Twins on July 27, 2019. He finished the 2019 season with 2 wins and 1 loss, 20 saves, 60 strikeouts to 17 walks, and a 3.43 ERA in 38 games with the Marlins and 27 games with the Twins. In the postseason, he pitched 2.0 innings in 2 games, and he gave up 2 hits, 1 home run, and 2 runs.

Romo pitched in 24 games in 2020. He finished the season with 1 win and 2 losses, 5 saves, and a 4.05 ERA in 20.0 innings. In the postseason, he pitched 0.2 innings in 1 game and he gave up 2 hits and 3 runs.

Romo became a free agent on October 29, 2020. He signed with the Oakland Athletics on February 18, 2021. He finished the 2021 season with 1 win and 1 loss, 3 saves, 60 strikeouts to 21 walks, and a 4.67 ERA in 61.2 innings in 66 games.

Romo became a free agent on November 3, 2021. He signed with the Seattle Mariners on March 24, 2022. He was released on June 21st. He signed with the Toronto Blue Jays on June 29th. He became a free agent again on July 20th.

Romo signed a minor league contract with the Giants on March 18, 2023. He retired shortly afterwards, on March 30th.

Career pitching statistics for Romo through 2021 include:

• 798 games played
• 704.2 innings pitched
• 42-35 win-loss record
• 137 saves
• 775 strikeouts to 173 walks
• 3.10 ERA

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Sergio Romo
ESPN - Sergio Romo