Baseball America Nats No. 10 prospect: LHP Seth Romero

Counting down the Nationals' top 10 prospects in 2020, according to the latest Baseball America list, we begin at No. 10 with southpaw Seth Romero, the club's first-round selection in 2017.

Romero worked his way back from Tommy John surgery last season and is expected to make his first appearance in minor league play since 2018.

I caught up with him in last year's spring training to see how well his rehabilitation from the injury was going.

10. LHP Seth Romero

The 23-year-old Houston native comes in at No. 10 on the Baseball America Nats prospects list. Baseball America Nationals correspondent Lacy Lusk said the Nats are excited to see what a healthy Romero can do on the mound this season.

"He was able to pitch an inning or so in instructional league and there are some in the organization that are excited about having him back on the mound this year," Lusk said. "But the key for him, of course, is getting the reps and getting a full season, really."

Romero was slated as a starter coming out of the University of Houston. He could see time out of the bullpen this season. The Nats could use their time-tested progression, having Romero throw 30, then 40, then 50 pitches as they ease him back toward making starts again.

The Nationals always love cultivating left-handed starters, especially when, like Romero, they can throw a fastball in the mid-90's.

"His stuff is pretty special," Lusk said. "It's as good as any of the guys higher up the list. Probably better stuff overall than (Wil) Crowe and (Tim) Cate. But it's a question of just consistently showing that."

The goal this season for Romero is to do well, but the biggest success will be if he can make it through a full season without any health issues, building innings along the way.