Mikey Romero Stats & Scouting Report — College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects

AB	205
AVG	.249
OBP	.322
SLG	.371
HR	1

Full name Michael Lorenzo Romero
Born 01/12/2004 in San Diego, CA
Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 175 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Orange Lutheran
Drafted in the 1st round (24th overall) by the Boston Red Sox in 2022 (signed for $2,300,000).

View Draft Report

Romero established himself as one of the top players his age as an underclassman at Vista Murrieta (Calif.) High and transferred to national prep power Orange (Calif.) Lutheran High for a chance at increased exposure. He got off to a slow start this spring and struggled at the National High School Invitational, but he recovered to show well at the Boras Classic and finished the season strong. Romero has a pretty, natural lefthanded swing and an advanced feel for hitting. He identifies pitches well and frequently gets the barrel to the ball to make consistent contact, including against high-end velocity and quality breaking stuff. Though Romero makes lots of contact, it’s often soft contact. He has a slender build and lacks the strength to do damage even when he squares balls up. He needs to make substantial strength gains to reach his potential as an above-average hitter with below-average power, with opinions sharply divided on whether he will be able to. Romero is an instinctive defender at shortstop with sure hands and a quick transfer, but his range is limited by his fringe-average speed and his fringy arm strength makes it difficult for him to make throws moving to his right. He is likely to move to second base or play a utility role. Romero is a mature, mentally tough individual who performed in high-pressure situations while his father battled advanced stage cancer. He also has athletic bloodlines: his older sisters Sierra and Sydney were two of the best college softball players of their generation at Michigan and Oklahoma, respectively. He is committed to Louisiana State.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Romero had a strong, steady amateur career as an advanced hitter and solid middle infielder both at Orange Lutheran High in Southern California and with USA Baseball’s 12U and 15U national teams. Projected as a likely second-round pick in 2022, the Red Sox--fearful they wouldn’t have another shot at him--snagged him in the first round at No. 34 overall and signed him to a below-slot $2.3 million bonus. Romero’s first full pro season in 2023 was derailed by lower-back issues that kept him out of games until late June and ended his season in August.

Scouting Report: Romero’s clean, direct swing path and adaptable barrel produced excellent contact rates and consistent gap-to-gap line drives both in high school and on the showcase circuit. The Red Sox were drawn to what they viewed as a potentially standout hit tool. As Romero’s senior year progressed, the Red Sox saw an increased ability to drive the ball that suggested average power potential for a middle infielder. But in 2023 he showed below-average bat speed that likely will need to improve with strength gains for him to be an everyday player. Romero also showed solid but unspectacular range and quick, sure hands, suggesting average or better defensive potential at second base with a chance to competently back up shortstop. He’s a slightly below-average runner.

The Future: If Romero gets healthy and starts making physical gains, he could reclaim his promise as one of the best pure hitters in the system, with a chance to be a solid two-way second baseman. He should open the year in High-A Greenville.

Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 45 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50
BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme

Track Record: One year after drafting Marcelo Mayer, the Red Sox used their 2022 first-round pick at No. 24 overall on another high school shortstop from Southern California. Romero displayed a mature, well-rounded game at Orange Lutheran High, hitting .372/.419/.659 and playing solid defense at short. While his hit tool was the primary driver of his prospect status, he grew into power as the season progressed, convincing the Red Sox to take him earlier than most mock drafts forecasted. Romero signed for a below-slot $2.3 million. In his pro debut, he performed well in the Florida Complex League and then finished with an excellent showing in Low-A Salem, hitting .349/.364/.581 with seven extra-base hits in nine games.

Scouting Report: Romero has a sweet lefthanded swing with little stride or wasted motion. His barrel is a magnet for pitches all over the zone, producing gap-to-gap, line-drive contact. While Romero was viewed as having limited power projection by many scouts, he added strength throughout his senior year. By the time he turned pro, he was able to clear the right field bullpens at Fenway Park in batting practice, suggesting an average power ceiling. At shortstop, he possesses good instincts and clean actions but with limited range. There's a chance he stays at shortstop as an average defender, but more likely he becomes an average second baseman with the ability to provide fringe defense on the other side of second. He's a slightly below-average runner.

The Future: Romero should start 2023 in Low-A Salem, and his strong showing at the end of 2022 offers a glimpse of a teenager who could move quickly up the ladder. He projects as a table-setting everyday middle infielder who could reach the big leagues by late 2025 or early 2026.

Scouting Grades: Hitting: 55. Power: 45. Speed: 45. Fielding: 50. Arm: 45

Draft Prospects

School: Orange (Calif.) Lutheran HS Committed/Drafted: Louisiana State
Age At Draft: 18.5
BA Grade: 55/Extreme
Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 40 | Run: 45 | Field: 50 | Arm: 45
Romero established himself as one of the top players his age as an underclassman at Vista Murrieta (Calif.) High and transferred to national prep power Orange (Calif.) Lutheran High for a chance at increased exposure. He got off to a slow start this spring and struggled at the National High School Invitational, but he recovered to show well at the Boras Classic and finished the season strong. Romero has a pretty, natural lefthanded swing and an advanced feel for hitting. He identifies pitches well and frequently gets the barrel to the ball to make consistent contact, including against high-end velocity and quality breaking stuff. Though Romero makes lots of contact, it’s often soft contact. He has a slender build and lacks the strength to do damage even when he squares balls up. He needs to make substantial strength gains to reach his potential as an above-average hitter with below-average power, with opinions sharply divided on whether he will be able to. Romero is an instinctive defender at shortstop with sure hands and a quick transfer, but his range is limited by his fringe-average speed and his fringy arm strength makes it difficult for him to make throws moving to his right. He is likely to move to second base or play a utility role. Romero is a mature, mentally tough individual who performed in high-pressure situations while his father battled advanced stage cancer. He also has athletic bloodlines: his older sisters Sierra and Sydney were two of the best college softball players of their generation at Michigan and Oklahoma, respectively. He is committed to Louisiana State.

Scouting Reports

BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme

Track Record: One year after drafting Marcelo Mayer, the Red Sox used their 2022 first-round pick at No. 24 overall on another high school shortstop from Southern California. Romero displayed a mature, well-rounded game at Orange Lutheran High, hitting .372/.419/.659 and playing solid defense at short. While his hit tool was the primary driver of his prospect status, he grew into power as the season progressed, convincing the Red Sox to take him earlier than most mock drafts forecasted. Romero signed for a below-slot $2.3 million. In his pro debut, he performed well in the Florida Complex League and then finished with an excellent showing in Low-A Salem, hitting .349/.364/.581 with seven extra-base hits in nine games.

Scouting Report: Romero has a sweet lefthanded swing with little stride or wasted motion. His barrel is a magnet for pitches all over the zone, producing gap-to-gap, line-drive contact. While Romero was viewed as having limited power projection by many scouts, he added strength throughout his senior year. By the time he turned pro, he was able to clear the right field bullpens at Fenway Park in batting practice, suggesting an average power ceiling. At shortstop, he possesses good instincts and clean actions but with limited range. There's a chance he stays at shortstop as an average defender, but more likely he becomes an average second baseman with the ability to provide fringe defense on the other side of second. He's a slightly below-average runner.

The Future: Romero should start 2023 in Low-A Salem, and his strong showing at the end of 2022 offers a glimpse of a teenager who could move quickly up the ladder. He projects as a table-setting everyday middle infielder who could reach the big leagues by late 2025 or early 2026.

Scouting Grades: Hitting: 55. Power: 45. Speed: 45. Fielding: 50. Arm: 45
BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme

Track Record: One year after drafting Marcelo Mayer, the Red Sox used their 2022 first-round pick at No. 24 overall on another high school shortstop from Southern California. Romero displayed a mature, well-rounded game at Orange Lutheran High, hitting .372/.419/.659 and playing solid defense at short. While his hit tool was the primary driver of his prospect status, he grew into power as the season progressed, convincing the Red Sox to take him earlier than most mock drafts forecasted. Romero signed for a below-slot $2.3 million. In his pro debut, he performed well in the Florida Complex League and then finished with an excellent showing in Low-A Salem, hitting .349/.364/.581 with seven extra-base hits in nine games.

Scouting Report: Romero has a sweet lefthanded swing with little stride or wasted motion. His barrel is a magnet for pitches all over the zone, producing gap-to-gap, line-drive contact. While Romero was viewed as having limited power projection by many scouts, he added strength throughout his senior year. By the time he turned pro, he was able to clear the right field bullpens at Fenway Park in batting practice, suggesting an average power ceiling. At shortstop, he possesses good instincts and clean actions but with limited range. There's a chance he stays at shortstop as an average defender, but more likely he becomes an average second baseman with the ability to provide fringe defense on the other side of second. He's a slightly below-average runner.

The Future: Romero should start 2023 in Low-A Salem, and his strong showing at the end of 2022 offers a glimpse of a teenager who could move quickly up the ladder. He projects as a table-setting everyday middle infielder who could reach the big leagues by late 2025 or early 2026.

Scouting Grades: Hitting: 55. Power: 45. Speed: 45. Fielding: 50. Arm: 45
BA Grade: 55/Extreme

August Update: Romero established himself as one of the top players his age as an underclassman at Vista Murrieta (Calif.) High and transferred to national prep power Orange (Calif.) Lutheran High for a chance at increased exposure. He got off to a slow start this spring and struggled at the National High School Invitational, but he recovered to show well at the Boras Classic and finished the season strong. Romero has a pretty, natural lefthanded swing and an advanced feel for hitting. He identifies pitches well and frequently gets the barrel to the ball to make consistent contact, including against high-end velocity and quality breaking stuff. Though Romero makes lots of contact, it&#39s often soft contact. He has a slender build and lacks the strength to do damage even when he squares balls up. He needs to make substantial strength gains to reach his potential as an above-average hitter with below-average power, with opinions sharply divided on whether he will be able to. Romero is an instinctive defender at shortstop with sure hands and a quick transfer, but his range is limited by his fringe-average speed and his fringy arm strength makes it difficult for him to make throws moving to his right. He is likely to move to second base or play a utility role. Romero is a mature, mentally tough individual who performed in high-pressure situations while his father battled advanced stage cancer. He also has athletic bloodlines: his older sisters Sierra and Sydney were two of the best college softball players of their generation at Michigan and Oklahoma, respectively. He signed with the Red Sox for $2,300,000 after being slected with the 24th overall pick in draft.