Boston Red Sox prospect Marcelo Mayer didn’t get to reap the benefits of his promotion to Triple-A Worcester after a lumbar strain caused him to conclude his 2024 season in Fort Myers. Though the issue was tabbed as minor, it raised major concerns among baseball fans as it marks the second consecutive year Mayer has finished on the injured list. Some have labeled Mayer as a “bust” and challenge his worth as a prospect.
Injuries aside, Mayer still has the potential to be a star. Anyone who's writing him off at this point is doing so prematurely.
The concerns surrounding Mayer are understandable. He was selected fourth in the first round of the 2021 MLB draft, making him the highest Red Sox pick since 1967. The deal included a whopping $6.664 million signing bonus and an overwhelming amount of hope regarding the future of baseball at Fenway Park.
Soon after, Mayer was announced as the No. 1 prospect in Boston's farm system. He wasted no time proving he could withstand the pressure that comes with such praise.
Mayer spent the majority of his first season with the Salem Red Sox before being promoted to Greenville in August. He ended the 2022 campaign with 98 hits, 13 home runs, 53 RBIs and a .280 average in 350 plate appearances.
Picking up where he left off, he briefly suited up for Greenville before being promoted to Double-A in May of 2023 at just 20. However, prior to arriving in Portland, Mayer suffered a shoulder injury. He attempted to play through it, but was ultimately shut down in late August.
Before the injury, he was on an offensive tear. Mayer accumulated statistics that mirrored his first full year in the minors, slashing up to a .582 average in the month before he got hurt. He was also selected to participate in the MLB All-Star Futures Game that July, an event that showcases top prospects that are nearing the majors.
After spending time at Boston’s training complex that fall, Mayer appeared positive about his rehab process.
“Last year I had the shoulder injury, and it got to the point where I just couldn’t do it anymore,” Mayer told MLB.com’s Ian Browne. “My shoulder is in a great spot… it feels as good as ever, and I am ready for the new year.”
That spring Mayer made the trek up the coast to start the 2024 season back at Hadlock Field with the Sea Dogs.
He continued to hold the No. 1 spot in the Red Sox prospect rankings, but he was not the only player fans were drooling over. Joining Mayer in Portland was the No. 2 prospect outfielder Roman Anthony, and No. 3 prospect catcher Kyle Teel. Together the trio was nicknamed “The Big Three,” and created a hype that stretched across the country.
Fans witnessed Mayer’s rebound through 77 games and 335 plate appearances, where he accumulated a batting line of .307/.370/.480 with 60 runs, 92 hits, eight home runs, 38 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. Additionally, he earned another invitation to participate in the Futures Game during the 2024 MLB All-Star break alongside Anthony and Teel.
It didn’t take long after returning from the break before Mayer’s stellar resume earned him a promotion to Triple-A. Of course, the Big Three made the jump together and the hype followed closely behind. But unfortunately, history repeated itself as Mayer suffered another injury that prevented him from finishing out the year.
“He had a good season, did a good job…There's a lot of potential there,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora told Browne. “Just have to make sure we can keep him healthy.”
Disappointed fans have made it clear they support Mayer finding a new home this offseason. Recently, Kyle Teel headlined a trade package with the Chicago White Sox in exchange for lefty ace Garrett Crochet. This move was applauded by the majority of fans who understood the Red Sox reasoning of letting go of a top prospect in order to build a stronger pitching rotation. Now they are expressing their want to see Boston offer Mayer as trade bait to make another move.
Overall, the frustration seems to build each passing season as Mayer takes his sweet time to make his big league debut. Once the 2024 season ended, Anthony switched places with Mayer in the Red Sox prospects rankings and was applauded by Baseball America for his quick movement through each level. Other prospects such as Kristian Campbell, are also getting recognized for their noteworthy talent.
Now, fans are projecting Anthony and Campbell to secure their spots on the 40-man roster before Mayer. But it still seems too soon to make that call.
Even through injuries, he has proven his power at the plate and talent on the field have not been drastically hindered. As long as the injuries do not linger enough to plague his career, Mayer should still be considered a major part of the Red Sox' future.
*Opinion column written for an assignment while taking MassLive's Chris Cotillo's aspiring sports writers workshops.
Yorumlar