Deibinson Romero

DEIBINSON ROMERO
THIRD BASEMAN
Born: September 24, 1986
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 215
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Signed: Int’l Free Agent, 2004 (Twins)
How Acquired: Minor League Free Agent
Country: Dominican Republic
Agents: N/A

WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

Romero looked like a strong third base prospect early in his career, but a knee injury and then a broken leg in 2008 seem to have sidetracked him.  He struggled for a couple years afterward and, since then, has shown usually very good plate discipline with a decent bat and just gap power.  Before the injury, he was considered to have above-average potential defensively, with a strong arm.  He’s played third almost exclusively so far, with just a little time at first.  Romero should have been eligible for minor league free agency after the 2011 season, but he never actually became a free agent until 2014.  He must have re-signed with the Twins several times before becoming a free agent.  The Pirates signed Romero to a minor league deal for 2015.

2005
DSL:  206/286/246, 175 AB, 4 2B, 1 HR, 12 BB, 36 K, 7-10 SB

Romero mostly struggled in his DSL debut.  At 18, he wasn’t especially young for the league.

2006
GCL:  313/365/460, 176 AB, 10 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 13 BB, 37 K, 6-9 SB

The Twins moved Romero up to the GCL and he had a strong season, hitting for average and power, although his walk and K rates weren’t good.

2007
R+:  316/406/506, 247 AB, 16 2B, 2 3B, 9 HR, 34 BB, 47 K, 9-12 SB
A:  300/364/400, 10 AB, 1 2B, 1 BB, 4 K

Romero had a big season in advanced rookie ball, finishing at or near the league lead in various offensive categories.  He particularly showed improved patience.  After the season, Baseball America rated him the Twins’ #13 prospect.

2008
A:  268/309/396, 149 AB, 8 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 7 BB, 38 K, 1-3 SB

Romero’s season was disrupted by injuries.  He needed knee surgery in late April, which cost him two months.  He then suffered a broken leg in mid-July, which ended his season.  He was eligible for the Rule 5 draft after the season, though, so the Twins added him to their 40-man roster.

2009
A+:  225/311/319, 417 AB, 18 2B, 3 3B, 5 HR, 50 BB, 102 K, 3-4 SB

Whether because of the leg injury or some other reason, Romero had a poor season in high A.  The Twins removed him from their 40-man roster the following November.

2010
A+:  252/348/363, 397 AB, 16 2B, 5 3B, 6 HR, 53 BB, 91 K, 1-2 SB

Romero went back to high A and improved a little, but still had a weak season.

2011
AA:  256/327/411, 414 AB, 27 2B, 2 3B, 11 HR, 40 BB, 93 K, 1-3 SB

The Twins moved Romero up to AA and his power started to rebound.

2012
AA:  267/356/441, 469 AB, 23 2B, 1 3B, 19 HR, 60 BB, 95 K, 2-2 SB

Back in AA, Romero continued to make gradual progress, especially with his walk rate.

2013
AA:  355/429/710, 31 AB, 2 2B, 3 HR, 4 BB, 7 K
AAA:  266/369/421, 304 AB, 15 2B, 1 3B, 10 HR, 47 BB, 75 K, 4-4 SB

Romero missed the first six weeks of the season, then stopped at AA briefly on his way to AAA.  He had a solid season, with a high walk rate.

2014
AAA:  265/364/406, 419 AB, 31 2B, 2 3B, 8 HR, 60 BB, 88 K, 0-1 SB

Romero returned to AAA and had pretty much the same season as the year before, showing good plate discipline and mostly gap power.  He finally became a free agent after the season.

Romero figures to spend 2015 at Indianapolis.  In camp, the Pirates played Romero mainly at first, evidently in deference to Brent Morel, to whom they seem to have an inexplicable attraction.  The acquisition of Hunter Morris just before the start of the season, though, probably leaves limited playing time for Romero.  He’ll most likely back up at first and third.

STATS
Baseball Reference–Minors
Fangraphs
MiLB.com
CONTRACT INFORMATION
2015: Minor league contract
PLAYER INFORMATION
Signing Bonus: N/A
MiLB Debut: 2005
MLB Debut: N/A
MiLB FA Eligible: 2015
MLB FA Eligible: 2020
Rule 5 Eligible: Eligible
Added to 40-Man: November 19, 2008 (since removed)
Options Remaining: 2 (USED:  2009)
MLB Service Time: 0.000
TRANSACTIONS
July 21, 2004: Signed with the Minnesota Twins as an international free agent.
November 19, 2008: Contract purchased by the Minnesota Twins.
November 20, 2009: Outrighted to AAA by the Minnesota Twins.
November 4, 2014: Became a free agent.
December 1, 2014: Signed as a minor league free agent with the Pittsburgh Pirates.