Red Sox Prospect Marcelo Mayer: Earn Your Spot
FORT MYERS, Fla. – The anticipation surrounding Marcelo Mayer, once the Red Sox’s top prospect, has shifted this spring. No longer defined by scouting reports and projections, Mayer – the fourth overall pick in the 2021 Draft – is now facing a critical juncture: deliver results. The question isn’t about potential anymore; it’s about performance.
While many expect Mayer to break camp as the starting second baseman, or potentially the primary third baseman, for the Red Sox, manager Alex Cora emphasizes that the position isn’t guaranteed. “With Marcelo, we’ll give him the baton, but he has to run,” Cora stated. “If he wants to be the starting second baseman in Cincinnati, there’s a lot of work to do.”
A Competition for Playing Time
Cora made it clear that Mayer’s role isn’t predetermined. “It’s not a given that he’s second baseman or third baseman for this team. There’s a lot of things that he needs to show us this spring, and we expect him to do that because he’s that talented. But at the same time, there’s a lot of guys here that can do the job.”
Last season, Mayer became the second of Boston’s highly touted prospect trio – alongside Kristian Campbell and Roman Anthony – to reach the Major Leagues. Anthony exceeded expectations after his debut on June 9th, while Campbell experienced a more mixed performance. Mayer’s call-up on May 24th was cut short by a right wrist injury requiring surgery, ending his season after just under two months.
Before the injury, Mayer showcased his versatility, proving capable at both third and second base, positions he hadn’t primarily played as a lifetime shortstop. However, his offensive performance was a work in progress, evidenced by a slash line of .228/.272/.402 with eight doubles, four home runs, and 10 RBIs in 136 plate appearances.
Areas for Improvement
“There’s a lot baseball related,” Cora explained, outlining areas for improvement. “He wasn’t great offensively last year. He’ll be the first one to tell you that. Defensively, he was excellent. Baserunning, he was really good. But offensively, there’s more. We know that, but he has to show us that he can handle this.”
Mayer has a significant opportunity to earn a spot, with Alex Bregman departing as a free agent, creating a vacancy in the infield. Caleb Durbin, acquired through a trade, is likely to open as the starting third baseman, with the remaining position open for competition between Mayer and other infielders in camp.
Beyond a Platoon Player
The Red Sox have depth in the infield, providing potential platoon options if Mayer doesn’t secure a starting role. However, Mayer aims to prove he’s more than a situational player. He struggled against left-handed pitching last year, posting a .416 OPS in 27 plate appearances.
“I think it’s hitting [all pitchers]. It’s not only lefties,” Cora clarified. “It’s just, ‘Be consistent out there,’ and he’ll be the first one to tell you [he needs to]. I know he has a lot of confidence in his ability. He’ll tell you that he can hit at this level. But last year, in a small sample size, he was OK. He wasn’t great. I think he was doing an outstanding job toward the end, but we need to control the zone, not chase so many pitches. So we will see some trends, and if we feel comfortable with him, he will be the guy.”
The pressure is on for Mayer to demonstrate his potential and solidify his place in the Red Sox lineup. Spring training will be a crucial proving ground for the young infielder.
Further Reading: MLB.com – Mayer’s Spring Training Battle
