Bold opening: A hopeful dark horse is quietly shaping the Red Sox’s spring with a real shot at the Opening Day roster.
The Boston Red Sox have kicked off spring training, and one standout prospect could force a roster decision before the games even count.
In the 2022 MLB Draft, Boston took Mikey Romero, who was ranked as the team's sixth-best prospect by MLB Pipeline. While the infield looks relatively settled—especially after the Caleb Durbin trade—Romero isn’t going away. He’s positioned to challenge for a spot as camp progresses.
As spring workouts unfolded, Red Sox analyst Ian Browne of MLB.com labeled Romero the team’s ‘dark-horse’ candidate to crack the roster.
“Even though the Red Sox boast considerable utility-infield depth, Romero has a real shot to outplay the field with a strong camp,” Browne wrote in a piece published on Sunday. “A first-round pick by Boston in 2022, Romero continues to receive unsolicited praise from manager Alex Cora.”
Browne noted Romero’s impressive physical development, highlighting that he’s finally back to 100 percent after spending his early pro years sidelined by injuries. Last season, Romero split time between Double-A and Triple-A and hit 17 home runs. With Romy Gonzalez dealing with a left shoulder injury that could delay his Opening Day availability, there’s an opening for Romero and several other contenders in camp.
If Gonzalez isn’t ready for Opening Day, Romero’s chances to earn a roster spot improve further.
Romero’s 2022-2023 stats through Double-A and Triple-A last season read a .245 batting average with 17 homers and 76 RBIs, signaling pop and potential as he climbs through Boston’s system.
Looking ahead, Boston’s 2026 season is set to begin on March 26, with an away game against the Cincinnati Reds.
Contending questions on the offense persist: Can the Red Sox’s volatile lineup exceed cautious projections for 2026, with Romero potentially contributing as a spark plug from the minors to the majors? And this is the part many fans overlook: a single strong camp from a sleeper like Romero could redefine Boston’s early-season plans. What’s your take—should the Red Sox roll the dice on a rookie’s ready-made upside, or prioritize proven depth? Join the discussion in the comments.
