Mikey Romero’s family group chat is an active one these days.
Perhaps that’s to be expected when you’re one of the top prospects in the Red Sox organization and your three sisters are all standout softball players -- two in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League and one coming off a strong season at Boise State.
ATHLETES UNLIMITED SOFTBALL LEAGUE
Joining the AUSL’s TV broadcast of Sunday’s game between the Chicago Bandits and Oklahoma City Spark -- Romero’s sister Sydney’s club -- the Minor League infielder reflected on growing up in an exceedingly athletic environment.
“It’s fun to get to watch them do what they love,” Romero said.
Boston’s No. 11 prospect, Romero is currently on the doorstep of the Major Leagues at Triple-A Worcester. The first-round Draft pick in 2022 out of high school in Southern California is known for his strong hit tool and plus power, something his sisters certainly share.
Sierra, the oldest, hit .441 (!) with 82 home runs -- including an NCAA-record 11 grand slams -- from 2013-16 at the University of Michigan. She now plays for the AUSL’s Texas Volts. Sydney, a star at Oklahoma from 2016-19, was a two-time first-team All-American before beginning her professional career. In 13 games with the Spark this season, she’s batting .326 with two home runs and a .929 OPS. And Sophia, the youngest sibling, batted .336 with an .818 OPS in her redshirt sophomore season.
For Mikey, early life was always a competition -- and not always one he won.
“I was always upset because they were always better than me, even my little sister,” Romero said. “She was always faster than me. Sierra was always a better hitter than me, and Sydney could always play better defense than me.
“It was frustrating, but I had good role models,” he added. “It was fun to just grow up with them.”