Arizona first baseman Kiko Romero and right-handed relief pitcher Chris Barraza were selected in the second day of the MLB Draft on Monday with Romero going in the seventh round to the New York Yankees and Barraza in the 10th round to the Los Angeles Angels.
Romero will become the 26th former Dorado to reach professional baseball. Spencer Packard, an outfielder in Double-A with the Seattle Mariners, was the previous draftee from CDO in 2021 going in the ninth round after playing at Central Arizona College.
Barraza will be the seventh Sahuarita alum to reach pro ball. The most recent Mustang to be drafted was Ian Mejia, a former Arizona pitcher who completed his college career at New Mexico State and was drafted in the 11th round last year by the Atlanta Braves.
Fire us up Breezy!#BearDown
Chris Barraza makes it Tucson products taken in the MLB Draft! pic.twitter.com/VrgfcW8MWu
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) July 10, 2023
“It means everything to get drafted,” Barraza mentioned in a text message. “Only a select few are this fortunate. Going to Arizona and getting drafted have been two dreams of mine since I started playing baseball.
“To accomplish both and see all my hard work pay off is definitely gratifying. I know this is the first step but I will do whatever it takes to get to the show.”
Five players from Arizona were drafted in the first 10 rounds. The final 10 rounds will take place Tuesday.
Arizona’s draftees:
First Round (21st pick): OF Chase Davis, St. Louis Cardinals
Sixth Round (183): RHP TJ Nichols, Tampa Bay Rays
Seventh Round (222): 1B Kiko Romero, New York Yankees
10th Round (294): RHP Chris Barraza, Los Angeles Angels
10th Round (311): SS Nik McClaughry, San Diego Padres
KIKOOOOOOO!!
Our single-season RBI King is a Yankee! #BearDown pic.twitter.com/Wnl3Xbo8uS
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) July 10, 2023
Barraza concluded his career at Arizona after transferring from New Mexico State, where he played from 2019 to 2021.
He posted a 5-2 record and a save with a 6.52 ERA with 39 strikeouts in 29 innings this season.
In three postseason outings, Barraza was particularly impressive, going 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA with six strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings.
Arizona’s draftees played for Chip Hale and developed further under him the last two years. Kiko Romero, seventh-round pick of the New York Yankees, is a Hale recruit who joined the program last season. https://t.co/6GG2xWZ539
— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) July 10, 2023
Barraza is a product of the successful Baseball’s Next Level club directed by former Sahuarita coach Bryan Huie. Cienega grad Nick Gonzales played with BNL before excelling at New Mexico State. Barraza is a former teammate of Gonzales’ with the Aggies.
Barraza is the seventh pitcher from Sahuarita High School to be drafted. The list:
LHP Tony Komadina, 1974, seventh round, Chicago White Sox
RHP Manny Barreda, 2007, 12th round, New York Yankees
RHP Ramon Delgado, 2007, 41st round, St. Louis Cardinals
RHP Sati Santa Cruz, 2017, 32nd round, Philadelphia Phillies
RHP Jose Dicochea, 2019, eighth round, Oakland A’s
RHP Ian Mejia, 2022, 11th round, Atlanta Braves
RHP Chris Barraza, 2023, 10th round, Los Angeles Angels
Kiko Romero blew up in JC ball last year. He thought he’d get drafted in 2022.
“Last year I thought I did enough, but it didn’t work out. But I was kinda happy it didn’t work out.
I got to play in front of my family and my home fans. That was special.”From UA to NYY.
— Michael Lev (@MichaelJLev) July 10, 2023
“It’s a great feeling to be a part of that club now,” Barraza mentioned about Sahuarita’s success producing professional pitchers. “I played with a lot of them and know how good they all are so to include myself in that group is definitely rewarding.”
In his lone season with Arizona after playing two years at Central Arizona College, Romero broke Ron Hassey’s 49-year RBI record. The left-handed hitter drove in 89 runs, eclipsing Hassey’s mark of 86.
He also tied Davis for the Pac-12 lead in home runs with 21 while batting .345.
Romero’s mom Ana Romero posted this comment on Facebook: “Yankees!! Super proud of this kid and all he has accomplished. Starting playing club ball at 7 years old and hasn’t stopped since! All the long road trips, baseball bats bought, hemming his long pants into knickers. … wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
The bonus slot value for the No. 21 pick is $3,618,200. If Chase Davis signs for full slot value with @Cardinals it would be the largest signing bonus for any Arizona player, topping the $3,531,200 that Daniel Susac got for going 19th to the @Athletics last year.
— Brian Pedersen (@realBJP) July 10, 2023
If any MLB franchise can tap into TJ Nichols’ tremendous upside, it’s @RaysBaseball
The Arizona right-hander, who entered the NCAA transfer portal last month, goes in the 6th round (183rd overall) to Tampa
That pick has a bonus slot value of $307,300
— Brian Pedersen (@realBJP) July 10, 2023
Arizona 1B Kiko Romero has been taken by @Yankees in 7th round of 2023 #MLBDraft
Bonus slot value of $224,700
— Brian Pedersen (@realBJP) July 10, 2023
Righty Chris Barraza, who spent the last two seasons at Arizona after beginning his career at New Mexico State, goes in the 10th round (294th overall) to @Angels
Bonus slot value: $169K
— Brian Pedersen (@realBJP) July 10, 2023
Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year Nik McClaughry just went in the 10th round (311th overall) to the San Diego Padres
Bonus slot value: $164,400
— Brian Pedersen (@realBJP) July 10, 2023
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ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He is a former Arizona Daily Star beat reporter for the Arizona basketball team, including when the Wildcats won the 1996-97 NCAA title. He has also written articles for CollegeAD.com, Bleacher Report, Lindy’s Sports, TucsonCitizen.com, The Arizona Republic, Sporting News and Baseball America, among many other publications. He has also authored the book “The Highest Form of Living”, which is available at Amazon. He became an educator seven years ago and is presently a special education teacher at his alma mater Sunnyside High School.
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