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New York Times
24-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Red Sox call up prospect Marcelo Mayer: Source
The Boston Red Sox are promoting top infield prospect Marcelo Mayer, according to a team source. The long-awaited promotion of Mayer, the No. 28 prospect in baseball according to The Athletic's Keith Law, comes as the Boston Red Sox are expected to place third baseman Alex Bregman on the injury list with a right quad strain. Bregman injured his quad while running to first base on Friday night. Advertisement The likely loss of Bregman for the foreseeable future is a blow to the Red Sox lineup, as he was hitting .299 with a .938 OPS in 51 games, but it opens the door for one of the most anticipated Red Sox prospect promotions in recent memory. The 22-year-old Mayer, the No. 4 overall draft pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, has been near the top of the Red Sox system for the past four years, his ascent slowed by injuries along the way. This season, however, Mayer has proven he's more than ready for the majors. In 43 games for Triple-A Worcester, he hit .271 with an .818 OPS with nine homers, five doubles and a triple while providing fluid defense at three infield positions. Outside of two games at third last season in Double-A, Mayer had played almost exclusively at shortstop from the time he was drafted in 2021 through 2024, but the Red Sox began expanding his defensive versatility this season in an attempt to find him a spot on the major-league roster. Though Mayer's offensive consistency and power have climbed through the years, his fluid defense, particularly at shortstop, has been just as impressive. This season in Worcester, Mayer has played 29 games at short, nine at second and four at third base. Manager Alex Cora offered high praise for Mayer in spring training. 'Good defender, he can move, he can play shortstop at the big-league level,' Cora said in March. 'He's going to get stronger with time. But we've seen big shortstops, big guys play shortstop in the past. He's a good one. He drives the ball to left-center. There's a few things that he knows that he needs to work on offensively. But the more you see him, you get excited about it.' Mayer's season last year was cut short as he dealt with a low back strain that prevented him from debuting in Triple A despite a promotion in early August. In 77 games at Double-A Portland last year, he hit .307 with an .850 OPS and eight homers. In 2023, Mayer dealt with a shoulder injury that limited him to 73 games, and in 2022, he battled a wrist sprain and played 91 games. Advertisement This spring, Mayer, along with No. 1 overall prospect Roman Anthony as well as current Red Sox infielder Kristian Campbell, spent all of spring training with the big-league club and impressed with their maturity and poise in handling major-league hitting as well as meshing with a big-league clubhouse. But when the season began, Campbell was the lone prospect who made the big league roster, with Anthony and Mayer headed to Triple A to continue refining their games. Now Mayer joins Campbell in Boston. Mayer is likely to see time at third base with infielder Nick Sogard also handling reps at the corner spot. In recent weeks since first baseman Triston Casas' season-ending knee injury, the Red Sox have worked with Campbell at first base, partially to open second base for Mayer. Now, with Bregman down, Mayer figures to see time at both second and third and may see time at shortstop with Trevor Story struggling for consistency at the plate. Either way, the Marcelo Mayer era in Boston has begun. (Photo of Mayer during spring training: WooSox Photo / Ashley Green / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
Boston Globe
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Red Sox star in waiting: top prospect Roman Anthony prepared for promotion from Triple A
Anthony and Red Sox hitting instructors determined he'd become too rotational while trying to pull the ball in the air (something that would allow him to better counter opposing pitchers' tendency to attack him inside), and he worked to maintain a cleaner line to re-establish his exceptional ability to demolish pitches to all fields. He made the correction, but it required work and time. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up So, what did Anthony's slump ultimately look like? He hit .283 with a .370 OBP and reached base at least once in 11 of the 12 contests. Advertisement In some ways, Anthony's performance helped to define his floor as a player — a suggestion of a player with the plate discipline and acumen to offer consistent contributions even when he's not at his best, and with the ability to emerge as a game-changer when he makes the adjustments to re-establish the best version of himself. 'When he's struggling, he's not really struggling. When you don't see the barrels, he's still getting on base. His batting average is still going up although his barrels may be going down. He can impact the game in so many different ways, and I think that's what we want him to understand,' said WooSox hitting coach Doug Clark. 'At the big league level, that's what we're looking for.' Advertisement The ability to remain productive through slumps, and to stand out as the best player on the field on most days, explains the clamor for Anthony at the big league level — and points to why the conversations in and around the Red Sox about when to call up the game's top prospect are gaining volume. In recent days, Anthony — who turned 21 last week, and remains the youngest position player in Triple A — is once again offering glimpses of a player with game-changing talent. In the late innings of a contest on Tuesday at Polar Park, a Durham Bulls pitcher tried to beat him with a fastball away in a 1-2 count. Anthony crushed the 96-mile-per-hour offering, driving it to the opposite field and well over the fence in left – a sign that his swing is once again where he wants it to be. It's not hard to watch a lefthanded hitter effortlessly drill mid- to upper-90s fastballs to all fields and imagine the potential impact both on the 2025 Red Sox — a team that's struggled to handle velocity — and for years to come. ' 'It's hard to not think about just because of honestly how much it's talked about' Roman Anthony, on the growing clammor over his callup from Triple A Worcester Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony had a stellar spring training in Fort Myers, Fla., but started the season at Triple A Worcester and not on the Opening Day roster. Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff Anthony, too, admits to thinking about the question of when he might get called up, but expresses eagerness rather than anxiety or urgency on the subject of when he'll make the eastbound trip on the Mass. Turnpike. 'It's hard to not think about just because of honestly how much it's talked about and how much of a trending topic it is in the media,' said Anthony. 'We're asked so much — so many of us — that question. But we really don't know. Advertisement 'And I think we've done a good job up to this point of just leaving it alone and not worrying about it and just wishing for the best for the team up there and hoping to get up there as fast as we can to help the team win. But for now, it's just, we're here. We're trying to help this team win, and just trying to clean up on every little thing that we can before we can get up there.' Anthony speaks and acts with a perspective that belies his youth. His desire to improve the details of his game — his swing, of course, but also situational hitting, his defensive work that has focused on left field this year, as well as his baserunning — in pregame work as well as through game repetitions. He finds joy in the work in Triple A rather than frustration in not yet being in the big leagues. 'We joke about [when a callup might happen], and we make light of it. And I think that's the only way to kind of go about it. No reason to be salty,' said Anthony. 'I get to play baseball here, regardless of what level I'm at. I get to play baseball every single day, so not really worry about it. 'I think when you start wondering too much and worrying too much about tomorrow or the next day or the next week, that's when you sort of get yourself in trouble. So I think I've been off to a great start this year, just being where my feet are and enjoying it, enjoying this team, his staff, and enjoying getting better every single day.' Advertisement Still, as impressive as it is to see Anthony improve steadily, he also looks increasingly like a player who's solved Triple A. Even as opposing pitchers treat him with the caution of a radioactive substance (his 20 percent walk rate is fourth highest in Triple A), Anthony leads the level in barrels (23) and has the second-highest hard hit rate in Triple A (60 percent). 'Pretty spectacular,' manager Chad Tracy said of Anthony. He's dating to his promotion to that level last August. The performance has been sufficiently compelling Anthony expressed gratitude for the compliment, but also took it with some reservation. 'All that praise is great. I appreciate all of it,' said Anthony. '[But] I haven't done a thing at the big league level yet. It's great to hear based off of what I've done so far, and kind of get a pat on the back for the work that I've put in and all that I've accomplished up to now. 'But to me, I haven't really done anything. My goal is just to get up there and help the team and be great up there. So, we'll circle back on that maybe a few years down the road and see where I am.' Advertisement Indeed, the measurement of what Anthony will look like at his peak — whether he will be a big league regular, or an All-Star, or a superstar — will take years. But as to what he looks like at the start of his big league career? 'No dates circled,' said Tracy. But the distance likely is now down to weeks — if that — rather than months. Anthony is ready. Alex Speier can be reached at
Boston Globe
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Alex Cora circles back on crucial manager's decision in loss that closed out Red Sox' road trip
'The walking part of it, I get it, you know?' Cora said. 'He's Vladimir Guerrero. We had him 0-2, and we didn't execute pitches after that. There's a two-way street here. And I get it, you know. Probably in the ALCS, I'm walking him. But right now in April and May, I've got to trust my guy. I've got to give Justin the leeway that he can do the job — and he's been great for us. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up '[Thursday], he didn't execute three pitches, right? One-two breaking ball, a one-two breaking ball, and a 3-2 breaking ball' Advertisement Cora said he'd rather learn in April even if he'd make a different decision with more on the line. 'We learn from that, I learn from that, too,' Cora said. 'Maybe the next time we face him, we'll think about it, right? But it's all about trust right now. We have a lot of young players on this roster and where we are going, well, it might be decided from [Thursday], we might lose the wild card, the division by one game and it's on me, right. Advertisement 'But I think the way I manage right now, especially with this group, you've got to be very patient, because I truly believe this is a very talented team. It's not like last year that you have the pedal to the medal and OK, pinch hit in the fifth or walk this guy and try to like will wins out there. You trust Justin Slaten, in that situation. [Thursday], it didn't happen.' Buehler to injured list Sox starter Walker Buehler was placed 15-day injured list because of shoulder inflammation. The righthander's shoulder didn't respond well after his last outing April 26 in Cleveland and he flew back to Boston ahead of the team Thursday for tests. 'We don't think it's that serious,' Cora said. 'Miss two starts and hopefully be back as soon as the days are over. With Buehler out, Brayan Bello moved up a day to start the series opener, leaving Saturday's starter up in the air. Cora didn't make an official decision on who would make that start, but said it would likely be Hunter Dobbins , who was recalled from Triple A Worcester. Campbell wins AL rookie of the month After hitting .301 with four homers and 12 RBIs in 29 games to start the season, second baseman Kristian Campbell earned American League Rookie of the Month. He became the first Sox player to win the award since first baseman Tristan Casas in July 2023 and the 11th honored overall. 'I think he's done a lot of good things offensively,' Cora said. 'He dominates the strike zone and he hits the ball hard the other way. He's learning too, which is the best thing, right. You sit down with him and you talk about the whole experience, and it's a great conversation. I love that part of it. From the ballparks to the hotels, meals, teammates, and obviously performing on the field. So I'm very excited for him.' Advertisement Campbell (rib soreness) was a late scratch Thursday and was out again Friday. Cora said Campblell should be back in the lineup Saturday. Wong returns from finger injury Connor Wong returned to the lineup after missing 22 games with a fractured left little finger. Fellow catcher Blake Sabol was optioned to the WooSox … Richard Fitts (right pectoral sprain) played catch out to 120 feet. The righthander has been on the IL since April 13. Outfielder Masataka Yoshida (shoulder labral repair) returned to Boston after going to Fort Myers, Fla., while the team was on the road. He had an MRI on Friday, and Cora said the team will know more about the results Saturday. Julian Benbow can be reached at
Boston Globe
24-03-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Kristian Campbell will make Red Sox Opening Day roster
Those efforts resulted in strength gains as well as swing adjustments that unleashed a force in the minors last year. Campbell was named Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year by hitting .330/.439/.558 across three levels of the minors (finishing with an impressive 19-game stint in Triple A Worcester), putting himself on the radar for a potential Opening Day spot on the big league roster. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Though Campbell got off to a rough start this spring (0-for-11 with eight strikeouts), he improved steadily throughout camp. Since March 3, he's hit .216/.348/.351 while showing strong plate discipline (8 walks, 10 strikeouts) and flashes of all-fields power. While he's been inconsistent at second base this spring, he's also offered signs of above-average range at the position. Advertisement 'I saw some underlying numbers and he's trending in the right direction and he's hitting the ball hard and not chasing,' manager Alex Cora said on Saturday. 'He's a good hitter.' The selection of Campbell to the roster also gives the Sox a player with righthanded thump who has a chance to take advantage of the wall at Fenway. It's almost inevitable that Campbell will face some transitional turbulence while adjusting to the big leagues, but the Sox believe that the combination of his aptitude — evidenced by last year's rapid ascent through the minors — and physical gifts will give Campbell a chance to gain his footing and become an impact contributor while learning in the big leagues. Campbell, at 22 years and 272 days on Thursday, likely will become the youngest Red Sox position player to start on Opening Day since Rafael Devers in 2019 (22 years, 155 days), and the youngest to make his big league debut with an Opening Day start since 20-year-old Joe Lahoud in 1968. Advertisement Alex Speier can be reached at
Boston Globe
23-03-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Starting pitcher TBA? That problem should be a thing of the past for this year's Red Sox team.
That should change this season. They worked on it. Richards Fitts and Sean Newcomb are lined up for Games 4 and 5. Brayan Bello and Lucas Giolito were supposed to be in those slots but will open the season on the injured list. They won't be there for long. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Bello, who had a sore shoulder at the start of camp, is scheduled for three innings Thursday in a minor league game at Fenway South. He will then join Triple A Worcester for a six-game series in Jacksonville that starts April 1. Bello is scheduled to pitch twice in that series and be ready to join the Sox as early as April 11. Advertisement Giolito, who pitched two innings in a minor league game Sunday, should be ready at roughly the same time, perhaps a few days later. Related : Giolito was sidelined with a slight hamstring strain, so slight that he was playing catch at full speed the next day. But the Sox understandably decided to take the cautious route with the righthander. By mid to late April, the Sox should have their five starters lined up with Fitts, Newcomb, and Quinn Priester Kutter Crawford, who spent spring training rehabbing a knee injury, wont be ready until later in the season, perhaps mid-May or June. Preparation-wise, he's at the start of his spring training. That doesn't assure the Sox will avoid the dreaded TBA from time to time. It happens to every team. But they have a deep group of starters to open the season with Crawford on the way. Related : Advertisement Trading for Crochet and signing Buehler changed the look of the rotation. The pieces are in the right place now. The roster has balance. 'It feels good that this is the route we've taken,' Cora said. 'We do believe we're in a much better spot than in the past.' 'We can beat you in different ways,' Cora said. 'We can hit the ball out of the ballpark. We're athletic enough; we can take walks.' Related : The other noticeable improvement in spring training has been the infield defense. Having Alex Bregman at third base is an upgrade. A healthy Trevor Story also makes a difference, even if it's unlikely that will last given the shortstop's history. How For the eighth consecutive year — seriously — it's not evident if the Sox have a regular second baseman. Kristian Campbell could break that streak. The Sox are forcing the issue with a 22-year-old rookie who seems likely to make the team despite hitting .167 with a .576 OPS in 20 Grapefruit League games. Campbell is talented enough to make it work. If not, they could give Marcelo Mayer a look. The Sox rolled out of Fort Myers 15-12-2 and now have two games in Mexico before starting the season with real live starting pitchers on the mound. Peter Abraham can be reached at
