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Boston Red Sox: 5 Greenville Drive storylines to follow in 2024

The minor leagues are always filled with intriguing storylines to follow as prospects try to make their way to the Majors. Here are a few you should follow for the Boston Red Sox High-A team in Greenville.

By Hunter Noll

Rows of empty seats at Fluor Field Tuesday, June 30, 2020. The Greenville Drive and all other Minor
Rows of empty seats at Fluor Field Tuesday, June 30, 2020. The Greenville Drive and all other Minor / JOSH MORGAN/Staff via Imagn Content
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Can a healthy Mikey Romero get back on track?

Romero was the first-round pick of the Boston Red Sox in 2022. Drafted 24th overall, Boston took him a little earlier than some expected. Due to this, they were able to sign him under slot value and freed up more money for later picks (such as Roman Anthony).

Romero didn't take long to endear himself to Red Sox Nation, though. The left-handed hitting shortstop hit .349/.364/.581 with four doubles and three triples in nine games for the Single-A Salem Red Sox that year. He drove in 11 runs, scored nine more, and stole one base.

However, Romero suffered an injury that would lead to the start of his 2023 season being delayed. Originally, he wasn't expected to miss too much time. Things didn't go according to plan, though. The days turned into weeks, which turned into months.

Romero didn't make his 2023 Single-A debut until July 7. He was hot and cold at the level for 23 games (.217/.288/.304) before being promoted to High-A in August.

Romero went 1-for-10 in his first three games with the Greenville Drive. Sadly, that's all we got to see.

The 19-year-old suffered a scary injury. After a play that appeared like a routine grounder to shortstop, Romero walked over to the pitcher's mound. His teammates surrounded him, but it appeared he would try to shake off whatever was wrong. Moments later, he would need to be carried off the field by the training staff.

We'd later find out it was a back injury, which is something that hampered him earlier in the year.

Overall, it felt like a lost season for the 2022 first-round draft pick. Romero only appeared in 34 games between Rookie Ball, Single-A, and High-A. He struggled at the plate and never got a chance to get into a rhythm, especially with Greenville.

Set to be 20 for the entirety of the season, High-A feels like a place he could spend all of (or at least the heavy majority of) the year. Can Romero start and finish the 2024 season healthy? Will he return to his dominant 2022 form?