Romo on Romo: No. 8 prospect self-evaluates 1st taste of big leagues

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DENVER -- Drew Romo, the Majors’ second-youngest catcher at 23 years and 8 days, has been the Rockies’ catcher of the future since he was drafted 35th overall in 2020. The point of calling him up from Triple-A Albuquerque on Aug. 16 and playing him regularly is to gauge when his future as a regular will arrive.

Romo (Colorado's No. 8 prospect) is eager to realize those aspirations, so he is evaluating himself while others are measuring him.

“I’ve definitely gotten more used to being up here and the whole routine,” Romo said.

Among current Major League catchers, only the Mets’ Francisco Alvarez (22 years and 316 days) is younger.

Since 2022, the catchers who were younger than Romo when he debuted (22 years and 354 days) were the Guardians’ Bo Naylor (22 years and 222 days) and the Angels’ Logan O’Hoppe (22 years and 231 days).

Yes, there’s the most noticeable -- some fans and even learned observers would say cringe-worthy -- rise-and-clutch throw back to the pitcher. Part of evaluation, however, is perspective and not to let the issue overshadow all.

So here’s Romo on Romo, breaking down his own skill set so far:

Offense
While defense is the main job, offense deserves focus for Romo -- a switch-hitter, which means he is learning from two sides of the plate.

In a small sample size, putting balls in play has been challenging (14 strikeouts in 41 plate appearances), which is why a late-game RBI groundout against the Orioles in a 7-5 victory on Aug. 31 was significant. Three of his seven hits are doubles. Manager Bud Black is slotting him at the bottom of the lineup, which allows him to concentrate on a team-oriented approach.

“When I first got called up, there was definitely an adjustment with hitting,” Romo said. “It’s tough facing better pitching. But I feel I’ve had better at-bats, I’m seeing the ball better and putting better swings on the ball.”

Leadership and nuance
Romo would not be here had he not shown in Triple-A that he can take charge when working with experienced pitchers.

“My defense has been good, and I’m having good meetings with pitchers, talking with the guys and continuing to build more chemistry with them,” Romo said.

Also, Romo has seen the value of the fine skill of “setting up later, so the other team doesn’t relay pitch location.”

Receiving and blocking
When it comes to areas of education, this is the primary area of growth. He had 11 passed balls in Triple-A and has two in the Majors. One came on a hard-to-handle pitch from Justin Lawrence, a tricky righty he has not caught much. The other, in the second inning against the Marlins on Aug. 28, with Kyle Freeland pitching, was a valuable lesson.

In the Minors, Romo worked on framing -- the art of turning borderline pitches into strikes. It was forward-thinking on his part. A team can challenge borderline pitches, so framing is not as important as in the Majors, when the umpire’s eyes are the determining factor. Romo said the Freeland pitch may have been a case of overemphasizing framing.

“If there’s nobody on base and it’s an 0-0 count, get the strike [by framing],” Romo said. “If there is a fast runner on first and there’s a high probability he’ll try to steal, just be ready to throw. Be smart in that situation.”

Throwing
Romo has caught two runners stealing, the latest being the Orioles’ Cedric Mullins at third base on Saturday night to complete a strikeout double play. Romo adopted a left knee-down stance last year and feels athletic rising out that stance to make the throw.

“I can definitely throw, and other teams have data and stuff like that,” said Romo, who caught a healthy 29 percent of would-be basestealers in Triple-A and made just two errors, after making 15 in the Minors in 2023.

What you’ve been waiting for
The hitch developed in pro ball as Romo tried not to catch a pitcher looking away when the ball was coming back to him. But he has a workaround.

Romo makes sure to check the runner before the lob to the pitcher. The Rockies don’t mind the issue as long as he decreases the art, and the pitcher and fielders -- who are supposed to show they can cover a delayed steal under any circumstance -- are on alert.

But immediately after the passed ball, Marlins runner Otto Lopez caught Romo and Freeland unaware, and third baseman Ryan McMahon needing a long run just to cover the bag.

Boom, there was a gaffe. But Romo, who believes the throw back to the pitcher is workable as long as he makes his checks and lowers the arc, likes to turn challenges into chances.

“Just learn from it. Honestly, it’s good that stuff like that happens, because you learn from it,” Romo said.

Romo noted that in Spring Training 2023, the Royals’ Samad Taylor stole home on a return throw to pitcher Daniel Bard, but “it hasn’t happened since.”

With the chance next spring to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster, Romo wants to learn as much as he can, as quickly as possible.

“I’m having fun,” he said. “My confidence is good.”