JoJo Romero – St. Louis Cardinals Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

JoJo Romero, born Joseph Abel Romero on September 9, 1996, has carved out a spot as a dependable relief pitcher in Major League Baseball.

He now throws out of the bullpen for the St. Louis Cardinals, where he keeps sharpening his craft. After getting his start with the Philadelphia Phillies, Romero really started to click in St. Louis.

JoJo Romero currently earns a salary of $2,260,000 with the St. Louis Cardinals, and his estimated net worth stands at approximately $2,503,735. That’s a big leap from his previous salary of $720,000—a clear sign that the Cardinals trust what he brings to the mound.

His one-year contract is fully guaranteed, so the team’s betting on his value as a key reliever.

But it’s not just about the paycheck. Romero has built a reputation for his gritty attitude and his knack for handling tense moments. His climb through the minors, including a stint with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, really says a lot about his drive.

Now, as the 2025 season rolls on, fans and analysts are keeping an eye on how he’ll shape games for the Cardinals.

Early Life and Amateur Career

JoJo Romero’s baseball story started long before his MLB debut, and those early days really shaped who he is—on and off the field.

Growing Up and Background

Joseph Abel “JoJo” Romero was born on September 9, 1996, in Camarillo, California.

Growing up in Southern California meant he could play ball year-round. That kind of access to fields and leagues helped him develop his pitching skills early on.

People noticed his left-handed arm when he was still a kid. He went to Oxnard High School in Oxnard, California, where he started to stand out as a serious baseball prospect.

His family backed him all the way, traveling to tournaments and giving him the support any young athlete needs.

Amateur Baseball Achievements

Romero’s high school years showed he had real promise as a left-handed pitcher. He earned a reputation for stepping up when games mattered most.

After high school, he started at the University of Nevada but later transferred to Yavapai College in Arizona. That move turned out to be a game-changer for his development.

He really blossomed at Yavapai, catching the eyes of pro scouts with his growing arsenal of pitches. His success at the junior college level set him up nicely for the MLB draft.

The Philadelphia Phillies would draft him soon after.

Nationality and Heritage

Romero was born in the U.S., so he’s American by nationality. Still, his family heritage ties him to a deep baseball tradition.

While there aren’t tons of public details about his ancestry, baseball culture ran strong in his upbringing.

A lot of players from Southern California have roots in Latin American baseball circles, especially Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Those places are known for producing crafty lefties with styles like Romero’s.

His multicultural background has shaped how he approaches the game and given him a unique outlook on the mound.

Professional Career Overview

JoJo Romero’s path in baseball has taken him from minor league hopeful to steady MLB reliever. He’s navigated tough breaks, early big-league moments, and some key trades that changed his career.

Draft and Minor League Journey

The Philadelphia Phillies picked Romero in the fourth round of the 2016 MLB Draft out of Yavapai College.

He worked his way up through the Phillies system, reaching Triple-A Lehigh Valley by 2019. Along the way, he fine-tuned his delivery and developed a slider that became his go-to pitch.

Scouts liked his four-pitch mix and his fire on the mound. Even though he started as a rotation guy, his role started shifting toward relief as he got closer to the majors.

MLB Debut and Early Years

Romero made his MLB debut on August 21, 2020, for the Phillies in the pandemic-shortened season. He faced the Atlanta Braves in his first outing—a big moment after years in the minors.

He flashed some real upside early, especially with a sharp slider that got plenty of whiffs. Fans quickly noticed his intensity and, honestly, that memorable mustache.

Then came a setback. Tommy John surgery in May 2021 knocked him out for a while and forced him into a long rehab.

Key Trade Events

In July 2022, the Phillies traded Romero to the Cardinals for infielder Edmundo Sosa. That move gave him a fresh start with a team known for developing pitchers.

With St. Louis, Romero started to settle in, especially during the 2023 season when he posted a sub-3.50 ERA over more than 50 games. He became a reliable middle-relief arm for manager Oliver Marmol.

The trade worked out for both Romero and the Cardinals, who rewarded him with a one-year, $2,260,000 contract for 2025.

Notable Teams and Performance Highlights

JoJo Romero’s big-league career has centered on two organizations. He’s grown into a trusted lefty reliever who’s battled through tough times and made his mark.

Philadelphia Phillies Stint

Romero kicked off his MLB career with the Philadelphia Phillies. They brought him up from the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in 2020, and he appeared in 12 games out of the bullpen that season.

He made an impression with his high-energy sprints from the bullpen and his habit of ripping off his jacket before pitching. Fans loved those quirks.

While with the Phillies, he kept working on his slider and changeup to go with his fastball. Those tools would come in handy later.

St. Louis Cardinals Impact

After the trade to the St. Louis Cardinals, Romero found his groove in the bullpen. He settled into a steady middle relief role at Busch Stadium, often bridging the gap to the closers.

The Cardinals showed their faith in him with a $2.26 million contract. His left-handed specialty became a real asset in matchups against tough lefty hitters.

He built strong ties with Cardinals pitchers like Miles Mikolas, which helped the staff gel. Romero’s knack for getting ground balls and limiting hard contact made him valuable in pressure spots.

Memorable Games and Stats

Romero shined during the Cardinals’ hot streak in mid-2023, pitching in seven games without giving up a run. His ability to pitch on back-to-back days was huge.

One game against the Cubs really stood out—he struck out the side on just 11 pitches. That inning showed off his deceptive delivery and wicked breaking ball.

Key Career Statistics:

• ERA under 3.50 in high-leverage spots
• Year-over-year improvement in strikeout rate
• Holds in late-season games that mattered
• Big drop in walk rate after joining the Cardinals

Spring Training and Team Contributions

Romero brings value outside of the regular season, too. In spring training, he’s known for showing up early and working with pitching coaches to tweak his mechanics.

He’s mentored young players like Jordan Walker, sharing tips on pitch sequencing and the mental side of the game.

Inside the clubhouse, Romero’s upbeat attitude and work ethic stand out. He often takes part in community events and represents the Cardinals well.

His flexibility has let managers use him in all sorts of roles, from standard relief to the occasional opener when the rotation needs a shakeup.

Pitching Style and Key Metrics

JoJo Romero has built a unique pitching style that relies on movement and deception. His pitch mix and numbers show he’s not just about velocity.

Fastball and Slider Breakdown

Romero leans on his sinker, which makes up 36.7% of his pitches. His sinker sits around 94-96 mph and has a lot of arm-side run, making it tough for hitters on both sides of the plate.

He throws his slider 32.2% of the time, usually at 84-86 mph with sharp, late break. The difference in speed and movement between his sinker and slider keeps hitters guessing.

Romero mixes in a changeup, too, just to keep batters off-balance. This mix gives him ways to attack both lefties and righties, though he’s generally more effective against left-handed hitters.

Strikeout Rate and Walk Rate

Romero racks up strikeouts at an above-average clip for a middle reliever, though he’s not quite at closer level.

He’s worked on cutting down his walks, especially since coming to St. Louis. Sometimes his command wobbles if his mechanics get out of whack.

The strikeout-to-walk ratio is a big deal for him. When that’s in a good spot, he’s usually at his best and can handle tougher assignments.

Performance Against Opponents

Romero tends to handle left-handed hitters well, holding them to lower averages and less power.

In high-leverage moments, his results have been mixed—not quite at the level of elite setup guys, but he’s shown he can handle pressure when called upon.

He stands out for generating ground balls, which really helps when there are runners on base. That skill makes him extra valuable in tight spots.

The Cardinals have started to trust him with bigger innings, showing their belief in his ability to handle tough parts of the order.

Contract Details and Arbitration Status

JoJo Romero’s contract with the St. Louis Cardinals reflects his growing reputation as a solid reliever. The details of his deal, arbitration status, and trade value all shed light on his place in the league.

Current Contract Overview

Romero is playing under a one-year, $2,260,000 contract with the Cardinals for 2025. That’s a big jump from his previous $720,000 salary and shows the Cardinals believe in his work as a lefty out of the pen.

The contract is fully guaranteed, giving him some security for the year. The Cardinals announced the deal in January 2025, along with similar contracts for relievers Ryan Helsley and John King, as part of their bullpen strategy.

Romero’s deal doesn’t include a signing bonus or incentives—it’s a straightforward salary agreement.

Arbitration Process

Romero worked through the arbitration process before the 2025 season and managed to avoid a tense hearing by coming to terms with the Cardinals. That felt like a pretty important step in both his career and his future earning power.

As a first-time arbitration-eligible player, Romero probably focused his case on things like his performance numbers, how many innings he pitched, and the pressure situations he handled. MLB Trade Rumors (MLBTR) guessed he’d get around $2 million, so the $2.26 million he landed ended up being a bit better than expected.

Teams and arbitrators usually look at strikeout rates, ERA, appearances, and how well a pitcher handles certain situations. In these areas, Romero has really shown improvement since he joined the Cardinals.

Trade Value and Market

Romero’s contract is reasonable, and as a left-handed specialist, he brings some solid trade value if the Cardinals end up out of the playoff race. Teams always seem to want lefty relievers with years of control left, especially at the deadline.

His numbers this season and the fact that he’s just 27 make him appealing for teams hoping to shore up their bullpen. The Cardinals would probably ask for mid-level prospects back, ideally guys who are close to making the majors.

Other left-handed relievers on the market usually get traded for one or two prospects ranked somewhere in a team’s top 20-30. Romero wouldn’t be eligible for a qualifying offer if traded, since that only goes to players who hit free agency after spending the whole year with one club.

Demand for lefty relievers stays high, especially for playoff teams looking for someone who can handle tough matchups.

Net Worth, Earnings, and Off-Field Activities

JoJo Romero has built up solid financial value through his time in MLB, and he’s started branching out with interests off the field too. His earnings have jumped since joining the Cardinals.

Net Worth Estimate

JoJo Romero’s current net worth is estimated at $2,503,735, which reflects both his career earnings and how he’s managed his finances. His value has climbed a lot after his latest contract.

He made the league minimum in his early years, but for 2024, Romero got a big raise. He signed a one-year, $2,260,000 contract with the St. Louis Cardinals—his highest salary so far.

Romero’s financial future looks bright. The Cardinals still control his contract through 2026, and if he keeps performing, arbitration could push his salary even higher.

Sponsorships and Partnerships

Romero doesn’t have as many endorsement deals as some bigger names, but he’s started to connect with equipment brands and local St. Louis businesses. His popularity with the Cardinals fanbase has definitely made him more interesting to regional sponsors.

He’s got partnerships with baseball equipment companies for his game-day gear. Fans have seen him using special gloves and cleats, though the details of those deals aren’t public.

Unlike a few of his teammates who have national endorsements, Romero has kept his sponsorships pretty low-key. That’s probably let him focus more on pitching, while slowly building up his business side off the field.

Community Involvement and Personal Life

Romero really shows up for community service, both in Philadelphia and St. Louis.

He joins Cardinals’ team charity events that support youth baseball and help out at local children’s hospitals.

Unlike some MLB stars, the relief pitcher keeps his personal life pretty low-key. Every now and then, Romero posts about his hobbies or family moments on social media, giving fans just a hint of what he’s like off the field.

A few teammates have spoken up about how much they appreciate Romero’s presence in the clubhouse. They say he brings a steady work ethic and a sense of reliability, and honestly, that seems to match his reputation as a bullpen arm.

Romero doesn’t just stop there. He also shows up for veterans organizations, attending events at Busch Stadium that honor military members during his time with the Cardinals.