DUNEDIN, Fla. – Red Sox fans. You probably haven’t heard the name Mikey Romero.
Probably for two good reasons.
He’s been hurt a bit over his three minor league seasons playing 19, 34 and 78 games, respectively. More to the point, though, is he’s the guy behind Marcelo Mayer, the reigning “Next Great Shortstop” for your Boston Red Sox.
But you might want to follow Romero, 21, who starred with a home run and a double in Thursday’s game against the Blue Jays in Dunedin, about 2½ hours due north of Fort Myers.
Drafted a year after Mayer in 2022, it was peculiar move as Romero, like Mayer, was a high schooler with a full-time major league shortstop ceiling. Akin to drafting a quarterback in the first and second round.
But Romero’s name picked up a little juice in Fort Myers on Wednesday after Red Sox manager Alex Cora was asked about a prospect outside of the Big Three – Mayer, Roman Anthony and Kristian Campbell – that has impressed him most two weeks into camp.
Cora instantly shot out “Mikey Romero.”
“The last three, four days,” said Cora. “He’s a good player, a really good player. Good at-bats, good defender. Mikey Romero is a good player. We’ve just got to get him healthy. He did everything this offseason to put himself in good shape. He’s a lot stronger now. This is the first time I’ve had a look consistently and I like him as a player. … Good instincts, really good instincts.”
Unlike the Big Three, Romero has been doing his work in minor league camp, showing up for three spring training games as a late game fill-in, going 2-for-3 with an RBI, a run and a walk.
“I usually find out I’m playing the night before,” said Romero. “It’s OK. I have a lot of work to do. I’m focused on me and what I have to do. If I get the ball, I want to be ready.”
In Dunedin, with some illnesses among the “kids,” Romero was thrust into the starting lineup, a rarity for someone that has only played 16 games at Double-A.
But those games were somewhat memorable, moving up when The Big Four, including Kyle Teel, all jumped from Double-A to Triple-A Worcester.
Over a 10-game stretch, Romero belted six homers on trips to Harrisburg, Pa., and Manchester, N.H.
“That was awesome,” said Romero.
It opened some eyes, including his manager in Portland, Derry, N.H.’s Chad Epperson.
“He’s come into camp healthy and looks great physically,” said Epperson, who will have Romero to start the season next month. “The ball jumps off his bat, showing above average power at times. Looking forward to seeing him on the defensive side with no health limitations.”
Instead of acting like a big-time bonus baby prospect the last week or so, he has found himself acting like a kid in a candy store.
“It’s pretty cool,” said Romero. “You’re watching the these guys on TV, and then next thing you know you’re in the clubhouse with them, talking ball and just kind of like getting ready to go play the game.”
Romero has interesting back story. The California native is one of four children, with the other three being sisters. Out of the Tom Brady story, in terms of accomplishments in sports, Romero’s sisters own him.
Elder sisters Sierra and Sydney were stars at Michigan and Oklahoma, respectively, and currently play professionally.
“I went to the (Softball) College World Series in Oklahoma four years in a row,” said Romero. “And that first year, Sierra and Syndey were both in the World Series. I love watching softball.”
Ironically, little sister, Sophia, at Boise State, might be the best of them all.
“I’m definitely Number Four in my family,” said Romero. “I have a long way to even get in the discussion.”
Among the highlights of Romero’s early camp thus far has been picking the brains of a few guys with several All-Star games between them – Alex Bregman and Trevor Story.
“I was standing together watching live at-bats and I would ask (Bregman) about what he’d be looking for on a certain pitch,” said Romero. “Then at one point, he was predicting what the pitcher was throwing. I swear to God he was 10-for-10. He was right every time.
“I said, ‘How do you do that?’ He said the pitcher was tipping his pitches,” said Romero. “I asked what did he see. He said, ‘When his glove is down a little, it’s a breaking ball.’ I’m like, ‘What?! How can you see that?’ It’s incredible what I’m learning every day. It’s exciting.”
Story has helped him with footwork and angles, an unsung trait of top infielders, particularly at shortstop.
“The major league guys have been great, really helpful,” he said.
Romero, who swings left-handed, is noted for his elite, quick swing and his maturity, in the box and out.
Defense, at least consistent defense, has been an issue, as Epperson noted. That is something he addressed this offseason and all but guaranteed will change.
“I really want to make a run at a Minor League Gold Glove,” said Romero. “It’s something I really looking forward to working on. It’s a real focus of mine.”
As for the guys, really the guy in front of him, Romero said he’s rooting for everyone wearing a Red Sox uniform.
“Marcelo and I are great friends,” said Romero. “We played together in (private) ball. I’m a big fan. He’s a great player and talent. The same with Kristian (Campbell). My focus is, honestly, on me. I have to get better every day. And when my name is called, I will be ready.”
You can email Bill Burt at bburt@eagletribune.com.