Yankees Top Prospect Countdown: #8 Austin Romine

#8 – Austin Romine

Bats: R               Throws: R
Height: 6’0”    Weight: 220
D.O.B.: 11/22/88        Highest MiLB Level: AAA (short MLB call-up in 2011)

Stats:
2007 (Rookie): .500/.667/1.000; 3 PA, 2 AB, 2 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB, 1 BB, 1 K
2008 (A): .300/.344/.437; 436 PA, 407 AB, 66 R, 24 2B, 1 3B, 10 HR, 49 RBI, 3 SB, 25 BB, 56 K
2009 (A+): .276/.322/.441; 481 PA, 442 AB, 61 R, 28 2B, 3 3B, 13 HR, 72 RBI, 11 SB, 29 BB, 78 K
2010 (AA): .268/.324/.402; 497 PA, 455 AB, 61 R, 31 2B, 0 3B, 10 HR, 69 RBI, 2 SB, 37 BB, 94 K
2011 (AA): .279/.343/.368; 388 PA, 351 AB, 44 R, 13 2B, 0 3B, 6 HR, 48 RBI, 2 SB, 32 BB, 63 K
2011 (MLB): .158/.200/.158; 20 PA, 19 AB, 2 R, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB, 1 BB, 5 K

In my profile of #9 prospect J.R. Murphy I mentioned that he is one of a seemingly never-ending line of catcher the Yankees have waiting in the minor league wings. Well, Austin Romine is yet another. Unlike Murphy, you’ve likely seen and heard a lot more about Romine due to the two extra years he has been in the minors, and also because of his call-up to the Bronx at the end of the 2011 season. He has long been touted as one of baseball’s top prospects, and for the past two years has been honored with selections to the minor league Futures Game during All-Star week. Also like the Yankees other catching prospects, Romine is better known for his offense than his defense, although he is average behind the plate. Though his power number did dip a bit between his 2010 and 2011 season, such fluctuations to be expected in the minors and in Romine’s case were due in part to minor bumps and bruises that he picked up while playing defense behind the plate (concussion, sore lower back, etc.). Romine’s 2010 numbers are probably more along the lines of what we can expect from him at the major league level, and he remains a fantastic option as the Yankees replacement catcher or tempting trade-bait.

To see our other Top Prospect previews so far, check out
#10 – Slade Heathcott here, and
#9 – J.R. Murphy here.