With their first pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, the Red Sox took shortstop Mikey Romero from Orange Lutheran High School 24th overall. It’s the second year in a row they’ve drafted a high school shortstop from California, after taking Marcelo Mayer last year.

As is usually the case, the high school prospects aren’t as heavily covered as their counterparts coming out of college. So what’s out there about Romero? Here’s what the MLB Draft experts said about him leading up to Sunday.

MLB.com

“Orange Lutheran High School in Southern California has generated some serious Draft talent over the years, from 2018 first-rounder and current Rangers prospect Cole Winn to future first-rounders like Garrett Mitchell and, most notably, Gerrit Cole. Romero doesn’t quite profile as high as those players went (though it should be noted Mitchell and Cole went on to UCLA before becoming first-round talents), but he does have the chance to be the highest position player drafted from the high school powerhouse since Josh Morgan was a third-rounder in 2014.

With impressive bat-to-ball skills, Romero has the chance to perhaps be a plus hitter in time. He rarely strikes out and can use all fields. He does need to continue to add strength, but though he struggled a bit against velocity early in the summer, he was one of the best hitters at Perfect Game’s World Wood Bat Association World Championship in Jupiter, Fla., in the fall, showing off bat speed, quick hands and good timing from the left side of the plate, though he wasn’t particularly productive at the National High School Invitational or Boras Classic this spring. He may never be a huge power guy, but there’s enough for him to impact the ball.

Romero is a smooth defender with more than enough arm to go along with the range, instincts and footwork to stay at shortstop for a long time. He’s not quite Marcelo Mayer, the lefty-swinging prep shortstop from SoCal who was the No. 4 pick in the 2021 Draft, but the LSU recruit is in the conversation of best high school shortstops in this year’s class.”

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Keith Law, The Athletic

“Romero is a bat-first high school position player who probably gets hurt a bit by the presence of similar guys with standout hit tools like Termarr Johnson in this draft. He recognizes pitch types and balls/strikes well, with a tiny stride and compact swing that produces contact without power. He’s a solid defender at short with enough arm to stay there. For a team that believes they can unlock power in a player who already has feel to hit, he’s an ideal candidate, but I do wonder about his ability to adjust to better offspeed stuff given the lack of any stride and the way his front foot rolls over through contact.”

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Perfect Game

“Mikey Romero is a 2022 SS/2B with a 6-1 175 lb. frame from Menifee, CA who attends Orange Lutheran HS. Recorded a 6.79 second 60-yard dash time. Projectable body with plenty of athleticism and wiry strength. Primary shortstop with good balance and a very clean release. Plus hands with very soft and sure actions. Throws recorded up to 82 mph but defensive actions and feel help the arm play up. Left-handed hitter with a slightly open stance, high hand set, and a high back elbow. Fluid barrel head with above average bat speed. Quickness to the stroke and flashed some pull side power. Good balance and can work both alleys with intent. In game hitter who rakes on the biggest stages. Great student. Verbal commitment to Louisiana State. Named to the Perfect Game All-American Classic.”

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