Mikey

Romero

Romero now has a nine-game hitting streak going to begin the Triple-A season and is slashing .342/.395/.553 with one home run, nine RBI, and a 5/2 K/BB ratio. It’s a tremendous start for the 2022 first-round pick, who also has a 62 percent hard-hit rate to begin the year. Last year, Romero played second base, shortstop, and third base, so he could be an interesting option in Boston if any of their infielders gets hurt or struggles for an extended period of time.

Cheng, who was claimed off waivers from the Nationals in February, hit .133/.409/.133 in 22 spring training plate appearances. Good eye. The 24-year-old will try to carve out a path to the majors in a crowded Red Sox infield situation at Worcester.

Romero, the 24th overall pick in the 2022 draft, is hitting .234/.283/.504 with nine homers in 36 games since moving up to Triple-A. He hit .254/.315/.440 with eight homers in 66 games for Double-A Portland previously. A better OBP would be nice, but the kind of power he’s showing in his age-21 season is impressive. He has a 53% hard-hit rate since his promotion.

Romero now has a 2.047 OPS this spring. The 21-year-old gets lost in the shuffle amidst Boston’s elite farm system. However, when Alex Cora was asked which prospects caught his attention this spring, he specifically mentioned Romero. Romero was a first-round pick in 2022 as an elite defensive infielder. As his frame has filled out, he has started to hit the ball with a little more authority, slashing .271/.312/.509 with 16 home runs in 78 games across High-A and Double-A last season. He doesn’t steal many bases, which will always cap his fantasy upside, but Romero should begin the year in Double-A and could give the Red Sox another high-end middle infield prospect or be a potential trade chip for a big-name asset this season.

Romero will receive a $2.3 million signing bonus after being selected by the Red Sox with the 24th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft. A polished defensive shortstop, Romero has a shot to stick at the position, but doesn’t possess a ton of power or speed potential for fantasy managers.

This is a bit of a surprise, but it’s not a huge shock that someone fell in love with Romero’s defense. He could be a plus defender because of his actions and hands, and he also has a plus arm. The hit tool has a chance to be above-average thanks to his bat-to-ball skills, but there’s not much power here. Romero is a high-floor player because of the defense, but doesn’t project as a fantasy stalwart without a great chance -- at this point -- of power or steals.