Avery Romero
| AB | 1863 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .269 |
| OBP | .331 |
| SLG | .364 |
| HR | 25 |
- Full name Avery Dante Romero
- Born 05/11/1993 in St. Augustine, FL
- Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 195 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Pedro Menendez
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Drafted in the 3rd round (104th overall) by the Miami Marlins in 2012 (signed for $700,000).
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Romero is committed to Florida, but he's not likely to get to school because of his bat, one of the best in a competitive pool of hitters in the Southeast. Romero is active in the batter's box and has an average frame at 5-foot-11, 190 pounds. He has hand strength, a short swing and hand-eye coordination that allow him to lash line drives from gap to gap, and some scouts project him to have above-average power. Others see him as an above-average hitter with average power and wonder where he profiles. His somewhat thick lower half and below-average speed will move him off shortstop, and he may not have enough power for third. He has the lateral quickness to stay in the dirt, possibly moving to second, and his plus arm makes some scouts wonder if he should try catching. Romero has resisted those suggestions to this point. Clubs that believe in his power see him as a third baseman and could jump on him early.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Romero played both middle-infield positions in high school, shifting off shortstop for his older brother Jordan, who was the better fielder at Menendez High in St. Augustine, Fla. Since turning pro, Romero has played mostly second base. After a strong offensive season in 2014, when he hit .320 in 118 games at two Class A levels, he vaulted into the upper echelon of the Marlins' prospect rankings. He struggled to replicate that success in 2015 at high Class A Jupiter, hitting .259 with just 18 extra-base hits in 123 games. At his best, Romero has good bat speed and is short and quick to the ball. Despite an aggressive approach, he makes consistent contact. His swing is geared for line drives, and he likely won't show more than gap power. While he has just fair athleticism, Romero has good footwork and enough arm strength for second base. His bat will have to be the carrying tool for a player compared to Dan Uggla as an amateur. He should escape Jupiter's tough hitting conditions and move to Double-A Jacksonville in 2016. -
Romero's older brother Jordan, who played at NAIA Embry-Riddle (Fla.), was the better-fielding shortstop in high school, pushing Avery off the position when they played on the same team. He shifted to second base full time upon turning pro. At low Class A Greensboro in 2014, he ranked fifth in the South Atlantic League in batting (.320), helping lead the Grasshoppers to the league's best record. The Marlins sent him back down for the playoffs after he also hit .320 during a month-long promotion to high Class A Jupiter. Romero might have the quickest bat in the organization, consistently showing the ability to turn on good fastballs. He showed improved balance and worked on plate-coverage issues in 2014 as well. A below-average runner, Romero is a gap-to-gap hitter who has the strength to drive pitches out of the park as his pitch recognition improves. Defensively, he has improved significantly since his amateur days, showing that despite his stocky body he has quick enough feet and solid hands to handle second base, along with a solid-average arm. Romero already has shown he can hit in the Florida State League and should return to Jupiter to start 2015. He could hop on the fast track if he keeps hitting, though Dee Gordon now blocks his path at second base. -
A shortstop in high school, Romero saw time at second and third base after signing for $700,000 just before the deadline in 2012, but he settled in at second in 2013. After drawing Dan Uggla comps for his stocky build, Romero worked hard over the winter to get leaner and improve his quickness. An above-average hitter, Romero uses a short, quick swing to square up balls, resulting in a lot of hard contact. A gap-to-gap hitter now, he projects to have average power when he matures and gains strength. Though he's a below-average runner, Romero has the instincts to surprise a battery on occasion. He also reads outfielders well and will take the extra base. His defense at second took a quantum leap forward last year. He showed good actions, soft hands and quick feet, as well as a willingness to hang in on the double play. He has plenty of arm for second or even third. He's a heady player and a hard worker whose pride was wounded by the decision to hold him back in extended spring training at the beginning of 2013. Romero will open 2014 back at low Class A Greensboro, where he finished last season. Second base is a position of need in the organization, and Romero has quickly established himself as the system's best internal option. -
Just before the signing deadline last summer, Romero inked a $700,000 deal as a third-round pick. His stocky frame reminds many in the organization of Dan Uggla, who hit 154 homers in five season with the Marlins. Romero has an advanced approach at the plate and uses quick hands, good hand-eye coordination and a short swing to rip line drives into the gaps. He hangs in well on breaking pitches and hits the ball where it's pitched. He projects as an above-average hitter and has the raw power to match. Though he's a below-average runner, he shows good instincts and a quick first step. A shortstop in high school, Romero split his time between third and second base in his pro debut. Despite his build, he's a quality athlete. He has soft hands and quick feet, though he has to work on turning the double play at second. His arm is strong enough for third base, where he looks more comfortable. The Marlins would like Romero to settle into a position, but they have yet to pick that spot. His bat may be polished enough for him to handle low Class A in his first full pro season.
Draft Prospects
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Romero is committed to Florida, but he's not likely to get to school because of his bat, one of the best in a competitive pool of hitters in the Southeast. Romero is active in the batter's box and has an average frame at 5-foot-11, 190 pounds. He has hand strength, a short swing and hand-eye coordination that allow him to lash line drives from gap to gap, and some scouts project him to have above-average power. Others see him as an above-average hitter with average power and wonder where he profiles. His somewhat thick lower half and below-average speed will move him off shortstop, and he may not have enough power for third. He has the lateral quickness to stay in the dirt, possibly moving to second, and his plus arm makes some scouts wonder if he should try catching. Romero has resisted those suggestions to this point. Clubs that believe in his power see him as a third baseman and could jump on him early.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Romero went 8-for-21 in seven NY-P games in 2012, and he proved that he could handle the league over 56 games this summer, earning a late promotion to low Class A. Romero?s righthanded bat is his calling card, with one scout saying he makes ?constant, constant hard contact.? He has strong, quick hands and a rhythmic swing, and he uses the middle of the diamond and opposite field very well. ?He has a pretty simple approach at the plate,? Auburn manager Gary Cathcart said. ?It?s a real quiet, calm approach, and he?s able to handle a lot of different pitches in the zone. He?s definitely one of the top bats we saw all summer.? More of a doubles hitter now, Romero figures to grow into at least average power as he matures, with a chance for a bit more. He also played a solid second base this summer, showing good awareness, lateral range and the ability to make barehanded plays on slow rollers. His plus arm is an asset on balls up the middle. Romero is no better than a fringy runner, but he has a chance for four other tools that rate average or better. -
After signing for $700,000 as a third-round pick, Romero didn't post great numbers in the GCL but he still gave glimpses of his offensive potential. He has a short swing that can get a bit uphill at times, but his good hand-eye coordination allows him to make consistent contact. He's a gap-to-gap hitter who should develop average to plus power down the road. A high school shortstop, Romero split time between third and second base in the GCL. A below-average runner, he moves well laterally and fits better at the hot corner, where his plus arm is an asset. He didn't look quite as comfortable at second base, where he's still getting used to turning the double play.
