August 31st 2024.
It's been a while since I've seen so many inquiries about the mechanics of a Rockies player. People are usually quick to ask about salaries, playing time, and management decisions, but questions about mechanics are a rare occurrence. However, the recent buzz around rookie catcher Drew Romo's unusual throws back to the pitcher has made it a hot topic of discussion.
So what exactly is going on with Romo's throws? Well, it all started when he was drafted as the 35th pick in the 2020 draft from The Woodlands High School in Texas. His strong suit was always his defense, but as he moved up through the minor leagues, he developed what is known as "the yips." This affected his throws back to the pitcher and even throws to first base after a dropped third strike.
To compensate for this, Romo has developed what some call a "pushball" technique in his throws back to the mound. When asked about it, Romo explained that it was a result of anxiety and is something many catchers struggle with. It's an awkward throw, and with so much going on in a game, it's not surprising that it can get weird over time. He also mentioned that other players, such as Daniel Bard, Jon Lester, and Rick Ankiel, have also had to find ways to overcome their battles with the yips.
But Romo insists that he's in a good place, and this is just the way he throws now. The Rockies also state that it hasn't been an issue at the Triple-A level, but there are some concerns about how it will hold up against major league teams. Will opponents try to take advantage of Romo's soft throws and steal bases? Romo and his manager, Bud Black, believe that as long as he has a steady routine and stays aware of the situation, it won't be a problem.
Black also mentioned that Romo has already overcome the yips to make it to the major leagues, and general manager Bill Schmidt doesn't see it as a major issue either. However, scouts are surely looking at videos to see if they can exploit Romo's throws.
But for Romo, there are more important things to focus on, such as his receiving, blocking, throw-downs to catch runners stealing, and overall game management. He believes that getting the ball back to the pitcher is not as crucial as these other aspects of his game. And with only seven games under his belt, he's already showing promise with a 22% caught stealing rate and solid stats at the plate.
So while some may be concerned about Romo's throwing motion, he's not too worried about it. And if you want to stay updated on all things Rockies, be sure to sign up for the Rockies Insider for more analysis and news.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
