Mikey Romero and the Red Sox, in additional methods than one, had been meant to be.
Long earlier than the 18-year-old shortstop from California was chosen by Boston with the No. 24 total choose within the 2022 MLB draft, Romero suited up for the Red Sox as a Little League participant. Moments after he was drafted Sunday night time, Romero couldn’t wait to put up a photograph of himself in a Sox jersey – one he stated was taken when he was 6 or 7 years previous.
“I was actually on the Red Sox just about every Little League team I was playing for,” stated Romero, who additionally famous that he owns a Red Sox blanket. “It’s pretty cool how things work out. I’d say it’s destiny.”
— Mikey Romero (@mromo32) July 18, 2022
Sunday night time was destiny for Romero, who was the second consecutive highschool shortstop from California taken by the Red Sox within the first spherical, a yr after they drafted Marcelo Mayer with the No. 4 total choose. It seems the 2 know one another fairly effectively.
Romero and Mayer, each merchandise of Southern California, performed on the identical journey crew for 2 years and remained shut, with Romero describing them as “best friends” who speak and textual content each day. About 10 minutes after he was drafted, Romero stated he referred to as Mayer on FaceTime “and were just going crazy” after realizing they’d be prospects in the identical main league group.
Romero realizes that he and Mayer each play shortstop, however that’s not an issue for proper now. Things – and positions – can change of their respective journeys to the massive leagues.
“May the best man win (the battle for shortstop), but at the end of the day, we’re playing to win,” Romero stated. “We’re each winners. We’re each rivals. And in the end we’ll do no matter it takes to win. …
“I’m going to play wherever the Red Sox want me to play. … I’m playing to win. I would like to play shortstop. That’s where I’ve grown up playing. I’m going to work hard to be the best player and best infielder and best hitter I can be, so whether that’s at short, second, third, who knows, but I want to win, so that’s the big thing.”
Lets go Mikey!!!! Lets get to work brother!! https://t.co/IuMaeFbQxq
— Marcelo Mayer (@Marcelo_Mayer10) July 18, 2022
Romero was dedicated to play faculty baseball at LSU, however he stated his intention is to show professional with the Red Sox.
“I’m looking to sign with the Red Sox and start my professional career,” Romero stated.
When he does, the Red Sox will – once more – get among the best prep gamers on this yr’s draft and among the best pure hitting prospects, with spectacular bat-to-ball expertise. While the 6-foot-1, 175-pounder hasn’t proven lots of energy in his highschool profession, the Red Sox have really seen that change of their scouting of him main as much as the draft.
“He started to grow into some power maybe a little bit later,” Red Sox director of newbie scouting Paul Toboni stated. “Really wasn’t even in the course of the spring season. It was within the final 5 – 6 weeks. We labored him out, he participated within the MLB mix at Petco Park, and he began exhibiting this energy.
“We knew that he had some power, but when he started showing that, we were super, super intrigued because we already loved the kid, we loved the positional profile, and we loved his ability to hit.”
Romero, in scouting himself, stored speaking about successful.
“As a player, I consider myself just a hard-nosed, old-school baseball player,” Romero stated. “I like to get on the field and I like to get after it and I like to compete and I like to win. That’s the big thing about me. I love to win and I love to play with a chip on my shoulder and my hair on fire. For me, it’s about winning and that’s the big thing.”
The Red Sox’ collection of Romero at No. 24 total was considerably shocking throughout the business, as he was rated a lot decrease in most draft rankings and projected to go later in mock drafts. But Toboni stated the Red Sox believed Romero wouldn’t be out there once they chosen once more at No. 41 – “I think there’s very, very, very little chance he would have gotten to 41,” Toboni stated – and the membership took him once they had the possibility.
For Romero, it’s motivation as he begins his skilled profession.
“Comparing myself to other guys, there’s never a doubt that I was going to be a top guy,” Romero stated. “I feel really confident in my ability. Those mock drafts, it’s kind of fuel to the fire for me. It adds to the chip on my shoulder and it’s just another reason for me to prove people wrong, prove myself right. For me, like I said, it’s about winning, it’s about competing, so I’m excited I got selected to the Red Sox, that winning tradition.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com