Red Sox may keep revitalized 1st-round pick as surprise roster choice

The Boston Red Sox have plenty of versatile infielders with them in Spring Training.

At least a couple will end up making the roster, so don't forget about Mikey Romero.

Romero was a first-round pick in 2022, and he's going to get a chance to make his case, even though most wouldn't picture him as the guy that wins a job here.

MLB.com's Ian Browne writes that Romero is the perfect dark horse candidate to get himself a spot.

"Though the Red Sox seem to lead the universe in utility infield depth, Romero has a chance to beat out the field with a strong camp," Browne writes. "A first-round selection by Boston in the 2022 Draft, Romero continues to get unprompted mentions from manager Alex Cora. In particular, Romero has impressed team evaluators with his physicality, as he is at last back to 100 percent after spending his first couple of pro seasons bogged down by injuries. Splitting last season between Double-A and Triple-A, Romero belted 17 homers. With Romy Gonzalez (left shoulder injury) appearing unlikely to be ready for Opening Day, that creates a possible opening for Romero and several other players in camp."

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Romero is just 22 years old, originally the No. 24 overall pick in 2022 out of Orange Lutheran High School in California.

He bats left and throws right, and he can play any infield spot.

Romero split last season between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester, and between the levels, he had a .751 OPS with 33 doubles, four triples and 17 home runs.

The worry with some utility infielders is that their bat isn't up to par. Romero has some pop, even if he won't hit for average at the MLB level.

Certainly, with a good spring, Romero has a solid enough pedigree to earn himself a spot.

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