Tommy Romero is ready to impact the Rays

Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty ImagesThe Rays acquired Tommy Romero from the Mariners in 2018 when they traded Denard Span in May of that year. At the time, he was one of the leading strikeout pitchers in low-A, but at just 20 years old, there was still a long way to go. Now with dominant stints in double-A and triple-A under his belt, the Fort Lauderdale native is poised to play a role for the 2022 Rays.

When the Rays brought Romero in, he looked like a fringe starter with bullpen risk, thanks to a fastball with both average velocity and spin, as well as a lack of a plus secondary pitch.

Here is what Baseball Prospectus had to say about him in June of 2018:

The velocity is average, but the heavy…