Background:
Romine is a California native, who will turn 22 just before Thanksgiving.? The Yankees took him in the second round of the 2007 MLB Amateur Draft, signing him right before the deadline for a hefty $500,000 bonus.? Because of his late signing, Romine only played in a handful of rookie league games in 2007, but has steadily progressed in his three years of professional ball since then. ?He spent 2008 in Charleston, 2009 in Tampa and this past season as the backstop for the Trenton Thunder. It is likely Romine will be catching in Scranton this season, but that is contingent on whether the Yankees truly believe Montero will be able to produce in the Bronx in 2011.? If not, they will want both their prized prospects to be able to catch regularly, meaning Romine could start the year back in Trenton.
Offense:
People may not be salivating over Romine’s bat the way they look at Montero’s, but this does not mean Romine is a slouch at the plate.? Far from it in fact, as he is a solid contact hitter who has a good eye for the strike zone.? He earned Florida State League Hitter of the Year in 2009, and can hit with some power to all fields.? Romine is not expected to have the power that Montero can provide, but he is a consistent hitter.? He needs to work on drawing more walks, but this is not necessarily due to a lack of patience, but rather to how aggressively he goes after the pitches he likes.? Romine does not strike out much and his athletic make up gives him a boost on the base paths.? He managed to swipe eleven bases in 2009 when he was in Tampa, but in Trenton he only stole two, so his ability to be a threat on the bases, even for a catcher, is still up in the air.
It seems to me that many Yankee fans are focusing on defense at the catcher’s position, particularly after some of the ugly plays we saw behind the plate this season.? Reports on Montero’s defensive ability range from poor to mediocre, but Romine has always been reported as a solid defensive backstop.? He has improved each season and has the agility and footwork that the bigger Montero can only dream about. ?Romine has plus arm strength, but perhaps his most important aspect of his defense is his baseball IQ and his ability to work with pitchers. ?When all of this comes together Romine is projected to be an above average defensive catcher at the least.
2010:
Romine put together a solid offensive season in Trenton this past year.? He was elected to the All-Star team once again, joining teammate Hector Noesi for the Futures Game.? Romine put together a line of .268/.324/.402/.726 for 2010.? He continued to work more walks, picking up 37.? He had ten homers, 31 doubles and 69 RBIs.? Romine threw out 23% of runners trying to steal, allowing 85 stolen bases while pegging 25 runners. ?Romine’s arm has been continually sited as one of his true strengths, so it is possible that the steals are not wholly attributable to him.
Projection:
Romine projects to be a solid major league catcher, able to contribute on both sides of the field.? If things continue to go as they have, it would not be surprising to see Romine spend 2011 in Scranton and get a shot at the big leagues in 2012, however, Jesus Montero is the x-factor here.? If Montero is traded, it would not be surprising to see Romine fast tracked and perhaps see some time in the Bronx in 2011, unless they Yankees feel he is not ready.? With Montero ahead of him and Sanchez behind him, however, I often wonder if Romine’s true value to the Yankees will end up being on the trade market.
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