Phillies make it official and sign Romano

December 9, 2024

Official Philadelphia Phillies News Release

The Phillies have signed right-handed pitcher Jordan Romano to a one-year contract, Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski announced on Monday evening.

An All-Star in 2022 and 2023, Romano spent the first six seasons of his major league career with the Toronto Blue Jays (2019-24). Over 231 appearances, all in relief, he has a 2.90 ERA and has successfully converted 105 of 118 save opportunities (88.98%). He has faced 953 batters in his career, limiting them to a .205/.289/.335 slash line (.624 OPS) with 285 strikeouts (29.9%).

Of the 17 pitchers in the majors with at least 100 save opportunities since 2019, Romano’s 88.98% save percentage ranks second, trailing only Josh Hader (187-210, 89.04%). Among all pitchers in baseball since 2019, Romano’s 105 saves rank ninth.

Per Statcast, Romano has averaged 96.8 mph with his four-seam fastball in his career which ranks 18th among pitchers in baseball since 2019. He ranks in the 100th percentile among pitchers with an average extension of 7.5 feet at release. Because of this, Romano ranks eighth in perceived velocity on his fastball at 98.6 mph, behind only Edwin Diaz (99.5), Aroldis Chapman (99.5), Ryan Helsley (99.3), Jacob deGrom (99.0), Trevor Megill (99.0), Tyler Glasnow (99.0) and Spencer Strider (98.8).

Among all pitchers in baseball since 2019 who have pitched exclusively in relief, Romano’s 7.7 bWAR in that span ranks fifth, trailing only Raisel Iglesias (9.6), Devin Williams (8.9), Tanner Scott (8.9) and Hader (8.5).

A native of Markham, Ont., Romano was originally selected by the Blue Jays in the 10th round of the 2014 MLB Draft out of Oral Roberts University (OK).

He will wear No. 68.