For the third straight year, the Red Sox went for a California high school middle infielder with their first pick in the annual amateur draft.
With the 24th overall pick, the Sox chose Mikey Romero, from Orange Lutheran High School in Orange, Ca.
In 2020, the Sox surprised everyone by taking second baseman Nick Yorke. Last year, choosing fourth overall, the Sox grabbed Marcelo Mayer.
"We're kind of of the mindset that we're just trying to bring as much talent as we can into the organization,'' said scouting director Paul Toboni, "and we'll kind of see how it plays out. When we think that their skill sets are so good and they carry so much value, we surely don't want to pass on a great opportunity if we don't need to. Part of the reason why we often don't take a ton of DH's is because it's tough to get a DH to play shortstop but it's easy to get a shortstop to play other positions.
"There were definitely a number of different scenarios where we're not taking the high school middle infielder. But at the same time, I do think we're well-trained on this type of profile and we do think we feel pretty comfortable with it. I was thinking, all of (the media) and Red Sox fans are going to think we only take high school infielders. It's definitely not the case; a lot of it is just how it shakes out.''
Baseball America's scouting report had Romero with "a pretty, natural lefthanded swing and advanced feel for hitting.'' But they also questioned his power tool, noting that while he makes consistent contact, it's often soft and "needs to make substantial strength gains to reach his potential as an above-average hitter with below-average power.''
"The Red Sox have a winning tradition and culture,'' said Romero in a Zoom call with reporters. "It's something I was really grateful to be picked and be part of. When I heard my name announced, it was exhilarating, one of the best feelings I've ever had.''
Romero said he and Mayer are "best friends'' who stay in touch on a regular basis and played travel ball together for two years.
Romero added that he took part in a private workout for the Sox at the University of San Diego.
"I knew that they liked me,'' he said. "I just didn't necessarily know where, but I'm grateful to be be their first pick.''
Asked to describe himself as a player, Romero said: "I consider myself a hard-nosed, old school baseball player,'' he said. "I like to get on the field and I like to get after it. I like to compete and I like to win. That's the big thing about me. I like to play with a chip on my shoulder, with my hair on fire. To me, it's about winning. That's the big thing.''
Romero was rated as the No. 63 pick by Baseball America, and is expected to sign for below for slot value. The Red Sox will then use those savings to spend on others later in the draft, and pay them above slot. He's a LSU commit, but said it was intention to sign with the Sox.
The Sox even continued the pattern in the second round. At No. 41, with the pick awarded for failing to sign their second-round selection last year (University of Florida outfielder Jud Fabian), the Sox opted for Cutter Coffey, a right-handed hitting shortstop from Liberty High School Bakersfield, Ca.
Coffey was ranked as the second-best high school infield defender by Baseball America. He's a University of Texas commit.
Coffey also pitched in high school, hitting 90-94 mph with his fastball and also has a quality slider. But the consensus is that Coffey is set to focus on being a position player, a thought echoed by Toboni.
"He's a tremendous pitcher,'' said Toboni, "and he definitely could go out as a pro right now as a pitcher. I haven't talked extensively about it, but my guess is that we probably lean toward just have him play a position to start. But you never know. He's a special talent all the way around. But that being said, we do prefer him as a shortstop first.''
In their final pick of the first day, No. 79 overall, the Sox took a left-handed hitting outfielder, Roman Anthony from Marjorie Stoneman High School in Parkland Fla. Marjorie Stoneman High was the site of a horrific mass shooting in 2018. It's also the alma mater of current big leaguers Anthony Rizzo and Jesus Lazardo.
Anthony has plus power, though making consistent contact has been an issue. He's played center field, but projects as a corner outfielder. He's committed to Mississippi.
"He's not someone we would characterize as the 79th-best player in the draft,'' said Toboni. "We think he's a much, much better talent than that. He's a tremendous athlete. We think he has a really good shot at sticking in center field. We think he's going to get on base, but he also has tremendous power potential and that's a pretty rare combination to find for a center fielder.''