Dedication To The Game Leads Romeo To Florida State

Josiah Romeo RHP / 3B / Mayfield, ON / 2024

CALEDON, Ontario - A December visit to Florida State turned into an early Christmas present for Josiah Romeo.

An offer came on the trip to the university in Tallahassee and two weeks later the 95th-rated senior in North America was an FSU commit.

“I’m more of a blue-collar guy,” Romeo explained. “I’m looking for the true intentions of a coach and what’s the best fit for me, so bonding with the coaches and talking to players was important. I talked with Cam Leiter while I was there about his process. He transferred from UCF and he said how much he likes it there. He explained about what they do and that it’s really serious. I also talked to the trainer. That’s a deciding factor in getting better every day.”

Alabama, Kentucky and Missouri State were also being considered by Romeo, who will get the opportunity to be a two-way player at Florida State.

“That was very important to me,” the top-rated 2024 right-handed pitcher in Ontario said. “I’ve been doing both for a long time, putting in a lot of work to make sure I’m good at both. It’s something I believe I can do at the next level.”

Corner infield will be the other position for the soon-to-be 18-year-old, whose birthday is on Jan. 11.

“The most difficult part is being consistent,” Romeo said about being a two-way player at the next level. “You never know when you’re going to be in a slump, you just have to keep battling.

“It’s important to make sure you’re prepared for both sides of the ball,” Romeo added. “Pick one day that this is what you’re doing, sometimes in the morning pitch and sometimes in the afternoon do hitting. That’s what I plan to do.”

There are additional plans for the 33rd-rated senior in North America.

“I’m going there to help them win,” Romeo pointed out. “They’ve been to Omaha too many times not to have won. I want to help them win.”

Florida State has high hopes that the 6-3 190-pounder can do just that.

“They like that I’m able to throw all my pitches for strikes,” Romeo explained. “They like that I can hit and that I’m athletic. Nothing gets in my head so I can control my mental game and play.”

The recruitment of Romeo took off in late summer.

“It all started to be crazy after the Future Games,” Romeo noted. “That was one of the best events I’ve ever been to. It started immediately after. My phone was blowing up wanting to get me on phone calls.

“I enjoyed every moment,” Romeo continued. “It was not stressful at all. I’d do it again in a heartbeat. The only tough part was deciding which school and telling the other ones I’d not be attending their school.”

Making improvements in his game in becoming a Division I commit came naturally according to Romeo.

“It’s just training,” the second-ranked 2024 in Ontario explained. “You have to love it, you can’t just like it. Sleeping and training, it’s all important.

“As a Canadian it can be tough,” Romeo added. “Americans can play year ’round, but here when the season ends in October you really have to work on your own so when you’re back at it in March you’re way better. You have to be dedicated.”

Romeo, who credits his parents and coaches with being the biggest influences in his baseball journey, admits it is not always easy in Canada.

“It’s tough not being able to play every day,” Romeo related. “But at the same time, I like that when we go to the States to play there’s a lot more competition. I’m super competitive.”

In particular, Romeo has found that to be the case in places like Georgia and Florida.

“I’m looking forward to playing down there,” Romeo said of going to FSU and playing in the Atlantic Coast Conference. “I’m in the south a lot during the year so I’m used to the weather. It will be hot, but that’s nice. There’s nothing else I could ask for.”

Going to college 24 hours from home is not a problem according to Romeo, a 3.5 student at Mayfield High School.

“It feels great knowing I’ll be in good hands there,” Romeo said. “It will be a very different life versus Canada, it’s just about adapting to the environment. I’m excited to experience the college life while playing as much baseball as possible. To be honest, I want to play pro ball, so whatever it takes.

“I’ve always wanted to play college baseball as a kid, but the main goal is to get drafted and be able to play professional baseball. I want to be a big leaguer.”