The Boston Purple Sox are setting the bar excessive for high infield prospect Marcelo Mayer.
Mayer, baseball’s No. 7 prospect in accordance with MLB Pipeline, will probably be challenged this upcoming season to showcase his defensive versatility. Purple Sox supervisor Alex Cora advised reporters throughout Saturday’s Fenway Fest that the plan will probably be for the 22-year-old to play shortstop, second base and third base, per MassLive’s Christopher Smith.
Boston promoted Mayer, alongside Roman Anthony and ex-Purple Sox prospect Kyle Teel, to Triple-A Worcester final season. Mayer, now 240 minor league appearances deep into his skilled profession, has logged 238 appearances at shortstop. So, the group’s plan will pose a possibility for Mayer to get conversant in different areas across the infield earlier than Boston provides him the long-awaited name to its large league membership.
It’s not a straightforward transition, however Cora isn’t alone in believing that Mayer is up for the take a look at.
“I believe he has the power and maturity to be an all the best way round infielder,” Purple Sox infield teacher Jose Flores stated Saturday, per Smith. “That being stated, little doubt that he can play the left facet of the sphere. Clearly second base will in all probability be a place that will probably be a bit of bit extra awkward for him to study on a sooner tempo simply because it’s his blind facet when turning double performs and all that. And it’s a bit of bit completely different. But it surely’s one thing that I do know for a undeniable fact that he can choose up actually quick. Little doubt.”
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Boston chosen Mayer, a shortstop out of Eastlake Excessive Faculty, with the fourth general choose within the 2021 draft, and allowed him to take care of that place.
Mayer made 65 begins at shortstop for the Double-A Portland Sea Canine final season and only one at third base, committing a mixed 11 errors together with one in 4 defensive probabilities on the sizzling nook.
He additionally batted .307 with eight residence runs, 28 doubles, 38 RBIs and a .370 on-base share in 77 video games with the Sea Canine. Mayer didn’t get an opportunity to take the sphere with Boston’s Triple-A crew after struggling a right away lumbar pressure upon his promotion, which ended Mayer’s 2024 season in late August.
That concluded Mayer’s fourth season in Boston’s farm system on a tough be aware, nevertheless, it didn’t discourage the group one bit.
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“I wish to see the youngsters play,” Cora stated, per Smith. “(Kristian) Campbell and Marcelo and Roman — I wish to see them play.”
Mayer is predicted to be prepared by the beginning of spring coaching.
