The Tomateros de Culiacán of the Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacífico and he is none other than flamethrowing righty Miguel Romero. The hurler is set to join the pitching staff of Benji Gil, the Mexican squad has won 13 league titles and has won two Serie del Caribe crowns.
The right-hander did not have a great season in 2023 and was released by the Oakland Athletics after compiling a 0-1 record and a 6.60 ERA in 14 games in Las Vegas (AAA) at the time of his release, was still a highly valued arm by the organization. Romero, according to team scouts, had the best curveball in Oakland farm system in 2020. The Guantanamo, Cuba native was promoted by Oakland to the Majors in 2021 and although he did not pitch, he was the 378th player in history from the “Largest of the Antilles” to reach the big show.
Last winter Romero in the opinion of many was the most dominant relievers in the LBPRC. In 11.2 innings pitched during the campaign, the Cuban flamethrower did not allow an earned run for the Gigantes de Carolina and served up 11 strikeouts, while also saving a game.
The 29-year-old also has the potential to unleash a 100-mph fastball. With the inclusion of Romero in the World Classic Classic, Cuba had a one of strongest bullpens in the event and it showed as it reached the semifinals of the tournament for the second time in its history. Romero was the anchor of the Cuba’s pitching staff leading the WBC in wins (2), strikeouts (13) and placed in top three in ERA (2.08) en route to all-tournament honors. The pitcher is represented by Carlos Pérez of Leona Sports.
Fuentes: Miguel Romero firma con los @clubtomateros de la @Liga_Arco . Romero es representado por Carlos Pérez de @LeonaSports.#pelotacubana #LigaARCO pic.twitter.com/6ZzH5j3QJs
— Yusseff305 🇨🇺🇺🇲 (@yusseff305) August 26, 2023
Cubans signed with Winter League ballclubs:
LIDOM:
Yunesky Maya RHP (Águilas)
Rangel Ravelo IF-OF (Águilas)
Yadiel Hernández OF (Águilas)
Dairon Blanco OF (Estrellas)
Yasiel Puig OF (Estrellas)
Julio Robaina LHP (Estrellas)
Raúl Valdés LHP (Toros)
Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacífico:
Yuniesky Larduet OF (Los Mochis)
Pavel Hernández RHP (Navojoa)
Albert Lara IF-OF (Navojoa)
Carlos J. Viera RHP (Hermosillo)
Dariel Álvarez OF (Culiacán)
Miguel Romero RHP (Culiacán)
Peter O’Brien OF-1B (Culiacán) **
Félix Pérez OF-1B (Jalisco)
Yoennis Yera LHP (Jalisco)
Lázaro Blanco RHP (Mazatlán)
Yoelkis Guibert OF (Guasave)
Yadir Drake OF-1B (Guasave)
Yoanys Quiala RHP (Monterrey)
Odrisamer Despaigne RHP ( Ciudad Obregón)
LBPRC:
Pedro Echemendia RHP (Ponce)
JC Escarra C,IF,OF (Ponce)**
Lázaro Estrada RHP (Santurce)
LVBP:
Ronald Bolaños RHP (Caribes)
*Cuban-American