Former Hard Working Hurler to Coach at Port Royal

[MikeB]

As a player, Félix Romano was known for putting in long hours and was well respected by his teammates. And now the 38-year old will try to gain the ear of teenagers after being named the new pitching coach at Port Royal (R).

A borderline prospect after being drafted in the fourth round by Arlington in 2016, he climbed his way up the ladder quickly, even being named the team’s minor league pitcher of the year in 2018. But he hit a wall his first two seasons in the majors posting a meager 4.26 e.r.a. in a swing role. Then, early in 2022, he ruptured his UCL and within a year was released by the Bureaucrats.

That work ethic kicked in though and by 2024 he was back in the majors with San Juan. He managed to stay in the rotation for 132 starts for the Coqui over four seasons. He was far from brilliant, his biggest problem an inability to strike out big league hitters despite a 98 mph fastball. And unfortunatelythe 6'4" 265-pounder fit the stereotype of a power pitcher in other ways, annually appearing among league leaders in walks and wild pitches. But he did throw a no-hitter in 2025.

“Félix knows as well as anyone how hurting yourself on the mound can hinder great stuff. Because he was hard to hit otherwise,” said Coqui General Manager Mike Best. “And he expressed that to us in the interview. Hopefully that message will go out to those hurlers who rely solely on speed.”

At $6,000 total for a four month season Romano won’t be getting rich at the job but he said at least he will be back in the dugout around the only profession he has ever known.