Red Sox draft SS Mikey Romero 24th overall in 2022 MLB Draft
For the second year in a row, the Red Sox used their first round draft pick on a high school shortstop from California. After taking Marcelo Mayer fourth overall last year, this year they used the 24th overall pick on Mikey Romero from Orange Lutheran High School.
Romero is considered one of the best high school bats in this year’s draft class. Following last season, he was named a MaxPreps All-American.
Coming into this draft, MLB.com had Romero ranked 65th overall in the class, and the eighth-ranked shortstop. By taking Romero, the Red Sox may be able to sign him under slot and use the money to convince a later draft pick to sign.
Over the last few years, the Red Sox have built organizational depth up the middle of the infield. Their top prospects already include a shortstop in Mayer (the top prospect in the system per SoxProspects.com), and second basemen Nick Yorke (ranked 4th) and Jeter Downs (ranked 21st).
August 1 is the deadline this year for draft picks to sign with their teams. Romero is currently committed to play for LSU next year, but could forgo that commitment after being taken in the first round.
The Red Sox have three picks remaining in the top 100. Their next selection comes 41st overall, early in the second round as compensation for losing Eduardo Rodriguez in free agency. They also have a second-round compensatory selection which is 79th overall, and their original third-round pick which is 99th overall.
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Chris Sale leaves start early after being hit by line drive
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 17: Chris Sale #41 of the Boston Red Sox leaves the field with a dislocated pinky finger after getting hit by a line drive from Aaron Hicks of the New York Yankees in the first inning at Yankee Stadium on July 17, 2022 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
After throwing five scoreless innings against the Rays in his 2022 MLB debut on Tuesday, Chris Sale took the mound Sunday against the Yankees for his second start of the year. However, the outing wouldn’t last long as Sale left the game in the first inning after taking a line drive off his hand.
Sale was already 23 pitches into the first inning when facing Aaron Hicks with a 1-1 count with one runner on, two outs, and two runs already in. Hicks hit a line drive back up the middle that measured a 107 MPH exit velocity off his bat according to the Yankees’ broadcast. That ball hit Sale’s throwing hand before bouncing into shallow right field.
(Warning, there is a close-up of Sale’s seemingly dislocated finger at the end of this clip)
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Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.
