THE EMERGENCE OF JORDAN ROMANO

Nicholas D'Agostino

For the last year and a bit, Markham Ont. native Jordan Romano has been tasked with the job of closing out ball games for the Toronto Blue Jays. Dating back to the start of 2021, the Blue Jays signed relief pitcher Kirby Yates to a one-year deal worth $5.5 million. It seemed as though the Blue birds signed Kirby Yates to fulfill the closing role for their bullpen as before his injury in 2020 he racked up 41 saves for the Padres in 2019. Unfortunately, he was injured in the offseason shortly after the Blue Jays had signed him, later having Tommy John surgery to put an abrupt end to his short-lived tenure up North.

Since then, the Blue Jays had been looking for someone to step up and take that closer role in their bullpen. Someone from within. Luckily enough, they had to look no further than Jordan Romano. Romano’s big league career hasn't been as steady as he would have hoped. In 2018 he was selected 3rd overall by the Chicago White Sox in the Rule 5 Draft. He was later traded to the Rangers and fortunately for the Blue Jays and their fans he was returned by Texas in March of 2019. He then made his big league debut for the Jays later that season. Fast forward to April 2022 and Jordan Romano is one of the most vital pieces on this Blue Jays team.

In 2021 Romano solidified himself as the closer for the Jays, racking up 23 saves in 24 save opportunities and pitching towards a 2.14 ERA in 63.0 innings pitched. Just this past week Jordano Romano broke the record for consecutive saves in Blue Jays history with 26 dating back to last season. He broke Tom Henke’s record of 25 which is remarkable to say the least as Henke was one of the best closers to pitch for the Blue Jays in their franchise history. So far this season, Romano is a perfect 5 for 5 in save opportunities and is still yet to allow a run.

There is no question that Jordan Romano has solidified his spot in the Blue Jays bullpen. He has become the trusted and reliable closer that the Blue Jays have been looking for. Romano has this confidence and swagger to him that amplifies Jay’s fans trust in the flamethrowing right-hander to get the job done. With Romano blossoming into an elite closer, the Blue Jays have become a much better team now knowing the backend of their bullpen is as solid as can be.

Pairing an elite arm with a high powered offense has proved to be a deadly combination for the team over the last calendar year as since the emergence of Romano, the Blue Jays have steadily made the jump from perceived pretenders to glorified contenders. Much of the buzz surrounding this team can be traced back to manager Charlie Montoyo who is more than capable of trusting Romano in any situation which helps him utilize his other bullpen arms as best he can.

With Romano firing on all cylinders there is no doubt in my mind that this Blue Jays team can go neck and neck with any team in baseball. Having an elite closer at the backend of the bullpen can help teams win as many games as possible. Everyone knows once that closer comes into the ball game they will be able to close it out. Having Jordan Romano pitch the way he has been, the Blue Jays can be a serious threat to win the AL East and maybe go all the way to the World Series.