2013 Marlin Maniac #14 Prospect: IF Avery Romero

Today we will continue down my personal Miami Marlins top 15 prospect list. Just a reminder, these rankings are my own and are highly subjective. Not everyone sees eye-to-eye when it comes to ranking prospects, which is likely because no one has a crystal ball to see ow a prospect will pan out in 4-5 seasons. That’s why I believe building a perennial contender is harder in baseball than any other sport.

Here is a look at what I have ranked so far:

• Prospects that just missed the cut, #20-16.
• #15: Alfredo Silverio

14. Avery Romero, 2B/3B
Drafted: 2012 3rd round pick
Birthdate: 5/11/1993 (19)  Height: 5’11” Weight: 195 lbs.

In the eyes of many draft experts, Romero had the talent to go earlier then when the Miami Marlins nabbed him in the third round. However, because he was considered a tough sign, he slid in the draft. Romero had been committed to the University of Florida, and was seen as a lock to go to college.

That is until the Marlins stepped in and offered Romero $242,000 over slot to get him to turn professional. Romero also had age working against him, as he was one of the oldest guys in high school, as he was drafted at the age of 19, and will turn 20 this May.

This is what prospect guru John Sickels has to say about Romero:

"15) Avery Romero, INF, Grade C+: 2012 third round pick has intriguing bat with a nice swing, power potential, good approach at the plate. Might wind up at second or third base, but scouts expect he’ll hit. Caution flag: he was one of the oldest guys in the high school class and turns 20 in May."

As Sickels pointed out, Romero is likely to wind up at second or third base as he moved on up. Scouts don’t believe that Romero has the athleticism and quickness needed to play shortstop in the pros. Scouts do believe he has adequate talent to handle the hot corner or play second, as well as provide enough offense to play either position.

Romero’s has decent gap power and potential to hit around 20 homers per season, which would give him enough offense to be a competent third baseman, but would make him well above an average second baseman.

Here is a video of Romero’s hitting from a High School Home Run Derby in 2010:

Romero is not seen as a player with strong speed, but it not going to be considered a base clogger either. He has the arm to play second or third base defensively, but his range is limited, which will bring down his overall defensive projection. Hitting will be the key for Romero as he moves up the Marlins organizational latter.

After signing, Romero hit .223/.309/.347 in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League, and finished the season with a .381/.458/.381 clip in seven games for Short-Season Jamestown. Romero has a strong chance to begin the season in Low-A for the Marlins.

Romero likely won’t be major league ready until the 2015-2016 season, but he has a solid chance to be an above average major leaguer for the Marlins. Between this season and 2015, the Marlins will have to find a permanent position for him, whether that be second or third base. In either case, if Romero continues to hit like scouts project him to, he will not have a hard time keeping his job.