Alex Romero, batting in an exhibition game Wednesday, had a .345 batting average this spring. He also impressed the Diamondbacks with his versatility of playing all three outfield positions. xxx

MAMTA POPAT / ARIZONA DAILY STAR 2008

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PHOENIX — Call Alex Romero the surprise of the 2008 edition of Arizona Diamondbacks spring training.

With Eric Byrnes, Chris Young and Justin Upton entrenched in the outfield, and Jeff Salazar set as a backup, Romero appeared to be a long shot to make the club entering spring training. D-backs hitting coach Rick Schu said some of the big-league staff didn't know Romero, while farm director A.J. Hinch said Romero was on the "back burner." And, the D-backs passed over Romero for a call-up last September when the big- league roster expanded.

But by Week 4 of spring training, manager Bob Melvin was mentioning Romero, 24, among the possible candidates for a bench job. Romero impressed the D-backs with his work ethic, ability to play every outfield position and performance (including a .345 average and .381 on-base percentage) and earned the final position player spot on Thursday.

"I couldn't talk I was so excited," Romero said.

After receiving the news, he bought a phone card so he could call his family in Venezuela. He heard crying on the other end of the phone.

The former Minnesota Twins prospect — the D-backs claimed him off waivers in January 2007 — will be making his major-league debut when he plays his first game with the D-backs.

Romero hit .310 with 66 RBIs in 131 games for Tucson last season, earning Pacific Coast League All-Star honors. But when the D-backs called up seven minor leaguers for September, Romero was not on the list.

"He was as consistent a guy we had in Triple-A last year," Melvin said. "He hit over .300, did everything they asked him there and wasn't called up at the end of the year. He didn't gripe about it. Yet, looking at the guys we called up and how many guys we called up he certainly had an argument.

"He came into spring training with something to prove, and he wanted to prove to us we didn't make the right decision last year in not bringing him up. From the first day of spring training, he caught everyone's eye with his work ethic and performance, his preparation."

Asked if he was disappointed he didn't earn a call-up last year, Romero said, "maybe."

"I did my job and did well in Triple-A. I was a little not happy because they didn't call me."

Romero also was motivated to have a strong spring after missing the first week of last year's camp because of visa problems.

He took extra batting practice at 8 a.m. each day this spring, and produced quality at-bats consistently, even though he often did not start and would get one or two at-bats per game, Schu pointed out.

"His consistent at-bats, the way he grinds them, it doesn't matter if it's a tough left-handed pitcher or a righty, he doesn't given in to anybody," Schu said.

Romero admitted he had trouble sleeping during the final days of camp.

He received the news Thursday, beating out 33-year-old outfielder Trot Nixon for the last spot on the bench.

"He had a great spring and I'm very happy for him," Nixon said. "What he's done in camp, hopefully that continues into the season."

Romero joins infielders Chris Burke and Augie Ojeda and fellow left-handed- batter Salazar as reserves. With both Salazar and Romero, Melvin said he has flexibility to use one early in a game without depleting the bench too much. Salazar and Romero also have similar defensive abilities, Melvin said.

"I wanted to let them know what I can do on the field, how I can work and play baseball," Romero said. "I'm so happy they gave me an opportunity."