Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 40 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50

Orange Lutheran High School in Southern California has generated some serious Draft talent over the years, from 2018 first-rounder and current Rangers prospect Cole Winn to future first-rounders like Garrett Mitchell and, most notably, Gerrit Cole. Romero doesn’t quite profile as high as those players went (though it should be noted Mitchell and Cole went on to UCLA before becoming first-round talents), but he does have the chance to be the highest position player drafted from the high school powerhouse since Josh Morgan was a third-rounder in 2014.

With impressive bat-to-ball skills, Romero has the chance to perhaps be a plus hitter in time. He rarely strikes out and can use all fields. He does need to continue to add strength, but though he struggled a bit against velocity early in the summer, he was one of the best hitters at Perfect Game’s World Wood Bat Association World Championship in Jupiter, Fla., in the fall, showing off bat speed, quick hands and good timing from the left side of the plate, though he wasn’t particularly productive at the National High School Invitational or Boras Classic this spring. He may never be a huge power guy, but there’s enough for him to impact the ball.

Romero is a smooth defender with more than enough arm to go along with the range, instincts and footwork to stay at shortstop for a long time. He’s not quite Marcelo Mayer, the lefty-swinging prep shortstop from SoCal who was the No. 4 pick in the 2021 Draft, but the LSU recruit is in the conversation of best high school shortstops in this year’s class.

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45  

After drafting Marcelo Mayer fourth overall in 2021, the Red Sox took his good friend and fellow California prep shortstop Romero with the 24th overall choice a year later. The younger brother of former college softball superstars Sierra and Sydney Romero, he signed for a well-below-slot $2.3 million. After a strong pro debut, he played in just 34 games last year because of persistent lower-back issues. 

One of the best hitters in the 2022 high school class, Romero concentrates on making contact from gap to gap with his quick left-handed swing. He wasn't at his best in 2023, when his back problems underscored his need to add strength to his 5-foot-11 frame. He won't be a slugger but more muscle could create 15-homer power while easing concerns about how much impact he'll offer at the plate.

When healthy, Romero has average speed and plays quicker than that thanks to his high baseball IQ. Many scouts believe his average range and arm aren't enough to make him a regular shortstop, but Boston believes his finely tuned internal clock and quick release give him a shot. Mayer likely will push him to second base when they're both in Boston, and Romero could be a solid defender at the keystone whose quick hands would help him turn double plays.

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45  

After drafting Marcelo Mayer fourth overall in 2021, the Red Sox took his good friend and fellow California prep shortstop Romero with the 24th overall choice a year later. The younger brother of former college softball superstars Sierra and Sydney Romero, he signed for a well-below-slot $2.3 million. After a strong pro debut, he played in just 34 games last year because of persistent lower-back issues. 

One of the best hitters in the 2022 high school class, Romero concentrates on making contact from gap to gap with his quick left-handed swing. He wasn't at his best at 2023, when his back problems underscored his need to add strength to his 5-foot-11 frame. He won't be a slugger but more muscle could create 15-homer power and would ease concerns about how much impact he'll offer at the plate.

When healthy, Romero has average speed and plays quicker than that thanks to his high baseball IQ. Many scouts believe that his average range and arm aren't enough to make him a regular shortstop, but Boston believe his finely tuned internal clock and quick release give him a shot. Mayer likely will push him to second base when they're both in Boston, and Romero could be a solid defender at the keystone whose quick hands would help him turn double plays.

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50  

The Red Sox have used their first-round pick in each of the last three Drafts on sweet-swinging high school middle infielders from California: Nick Yorke (17th overall) in 2020, Marcelo Mayer (fourth) in 2021 and Romero (24th) last July. Romero also joined Gerrit Cole, Cole Winn and Garrett Mitchell as first-rounders who played at Orange (Calif.) Lutheran HS. Signed for $2.3 million, he comes from a family of hitters that also includes a pair of former college softball superstars in older sisters Sierra and Sydney. 

Romero's quick left-handed swing and mature approach gave him some of the best bat-to-ball skills in the 2022 prep class. He focuses on making contact from gap to gap and isn't very physical, leading to some concerns about how much impact he'll provide at the plate. He does have bat speed and hitting aptitude and has gotten stronger in the last year, so he should be able to provide 15-20 homers on an annual basis. 

There are also questions about Romero's ability to stay at shortstop, though that may not matter much in the long run with his good friend Mayer also in the organization. He has average speed and arm strength, leaving both tools light for the position, but he compensates with advanced instincts and a quick release on throws. He does show good actions at short and is a polished defender with reliable hands.

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50 

For the third straight Draft, the Red Sox spent their first-round pick on a California prep middle infielder, taking Romero 24th overall in July on the heels of Nick Yorke in 2020 and Marcelo Mayer in 2021. A product of Orange Lutheran High (Calif.), which also spawned Gerrit Cole and first-round picks Cole Winn and Garrett Mitchell, Romero signed for $2.3 million. Hitting runs in the family, as older sisters Sierra and Sydney were college softball superstars. 

Romero exudes polish at the plate and at shortstop. He had some of the best bat-to-ball skills in the 2022 high school class, thanks to a quick left-handed swing and a mature approach. He's also a smooth defender at shortstop with soft hands and advanced instincts. 

Romero does come with questions about how much power he'll provide and whether he can remain at short, though the latter may be a moot point with the presence of his good friend Mayer in the organization. He lacks physical strength and may max out at 15 homers per season, which could be acceptable if he hits and gets on base as well as expected. He's an average runner with arm strength to match, leaving both tools less than desired for a shortstop, though he compensates with a finely tuned internal clock and a quick release. 

Awards

SAL Player of the Week

Week	Team
08/04/2024

SAL Player of the Month

Month	Team
07/2024

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	08/27/2024	SS Mikey Romero assigned to Portland Sea Dogs from Greenville Drive.
	08/14/2024	Greenville Drive activated SS Mikey Romero from the 7-day injured list.
	08/08/2024	Greenville Drive placed SS Mikey Romero on the 7-day injured list.
	05/14/2024	Greenville Drive activated SS Mikey Romero from the 7-day injured list.
	05/07/2024	Greenville Drive sent SS Mikey Romero on a rehab assignment to FCL Red Sox.
	05/07/2024	sent SS Mikey Romero on a rehab assignment to FCL Red Sox.
	04/05/2024	Greenville Drive placed SS Mikey Romero on the 7-day injured list.
	09/20/2023	Greenville Drive activated SS Mikey Romero from the 7-day injured list.
	09/20/2023	Greenville Drive activated SS Mikey Romero from the 7-day injured list.
	08/19/2023	Greenville Drive placed SS Mikey Romero on the 7-day injured list retroactive to August 18, 2023.
	08/15/2023	SS Mikey Romero assigned to Greenville Drive from Salem Red Sox.
	07/06/2023	Salem Red Sox activated SS Mikey Romero from the 7-day injured list.
	06/23/2023	Salem Red Sox sent SS Mikey Romero on a rehab assignment to FCL Red Sox.
	04/05/2023	Salem Red Sox transferred SS Mikey Romero to the Development List.
	04/05/2023	Salem Red Sox placed SS Mikey Romero on the 7-day injured list.
	08/30/2022	SS Mikey Romero assigned to Salem Red Sox from FCL Red Sox.
	08/09/2022	FCL Red Sox activated SS Mikey Romero.
	08/09/2022	SS Mikey Romero assigned to FCL Red Sox.
	07/26/2022	Boston Red Sox signed SS Mikey Romero.
	06/07/2022	SS Mikey Romero and assigned to College Workout.
	09/23/2021	SS Mikey Romero and assigned to National.
	08/18/2021	SS Mikey Romero and assigned to PG West.
	07/13/2021	PG National 4 - Green activated SS Mikey Romero.