Could Marcelo Mayer be the answer at second?

[Cameron Tran]

On Wednesday, the Red Sox optioned Vaughn Grissom to minor league camp, seemingly leaving the second base position down to 2. Instead, a potential new option has emerged in the form of top prospect Marcelo Mayer. Mayer made his second base debut as a substitute on Tuesday, before getting the start on Wednesday. The 22 year old has been on fire from the plate this spring, hitting .355 with a 1.025 OPS. In 77 AA games, Mayer hit .307 with an .850 OPS.

Although he has never played second at the professional level, Mayer is confident he can adjust. "Everything is backwards compared to short and third base. But I'm athletic, I think I could figure it out pretty quickly." 

Mayer has never played anything other than third base or shortstop. Due to his bigger frame and below-average speed, some evaluators picture him as a long term third basemen. Mayer's quick first step and athleticism should make the transition across the diamond easier, if that is what Alex Cora deems best for the team. In the long run, Mayer still profiles as the teams starting shortstop if Story's defense declines. 

Although Mayer has yet to register a AAA at-bat, Cora praises the "baseball player" in him, saying "The baseball player is real. He's not just a prospect. He's a baseball player."

If Mayer begins the season at second, it will likely mean Kristian Campbell will start the season at AAA. David Hamilton remains in the mix, but Cora might prefer him as a platoon, speed option of the bench when needed. 

In other roster news, Blake Sabol was optioned to minor-league camp, making it almost certain that Carlos Narvaez will open the year the backup catcher. Luis Guerrero and Jost Winckowski will also not start the season on the major league roster, giving some clarity to a crowded bullpen. 

[moonslav59]

It's interesting that most people probably picked Anthony or Campbell as the most likely prospect to make the opening day roster, due in part to Mayer's injury that kept him from playing in AAA, just as he was promoted. He ended 2024 on the IL.

Now, Mayer might be the most likely to make the roster. Anthony and Campbell are still in the running, though.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Campbell, living up to his Barry Bonds nickname, just gunned out speed demon Byron Buxton from the LF corner. 

.

[moonslav59]

4 minutes ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Campbell, living up to his Barry Bonds nickname, just gunned out speed demon Byron Buxton from the LF corner. 

.

That was a nice throw.

DHam got the nod at 2B, tonight.

Big decisions loom.

[mvp 78]

I don’t see him starting game 1 at 2b. It could happen at some point though.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

1 hour ago, moonslav59 said:

That was a nice throw.

DHam got the nod at 2B, tonight.

Big decisions loom.

Hamilton is on the team no matter what, just so he can steal 89 bases off Vazquez when they play the Twins.

[moonslav59]

3 hours ago, 5GoldGlovesOF,75 said:

Hamilton is on the team no matter what, just so he can steal 89 bases off Vazquez when they play the Twins.

DHam is a decent player.

Plus D at 2B.

.729 vs RHPs

Can steal 50+ bases.

[Larry Cook]

We have to be honest here, Mayer, according to longenhagan, has struggled to hit secondary pitches and is it best to learn to pick up the spin better at Worcester or Boston???

 

[notin]

Mayer at 2b is an admission he’s a stopgap.  Mayer at SS and Story at 2b is the superior defensive alignment.

Of course they might not want to revisit the Devers Drama in pushing a vet out of position to accommodate a newcomer.  But maybe it encourages Story to opt out after the season…

[moonslav59]

Mayer is a better defensive SS than Bogey, and Story played 2B for him.

I know this is different, but let's do what is best for the team.

(Note: I'm not sure what alignment is best, and if it's close, I'd keep Story at SS and have Mayer at 2B.)

[Larry Cook]

Campbell starting at 2B today against the pirates. 

[vegasbob]

If Mayer stays on the 26 and plays either 2B or SS  from Game #1 on,  you guys will not be happy by May 31st.   

If, however, he goes to Worcester and rakes  , then  he will have shown he is much closer to being ready for MLB pitching . The slider/sweeper will eat him up  at the MLB level unless he gets more experience without the pressure of being in Boston .

[moonslav59]

21 minutes ago, vegasbob said:

If Mayer stays on the 26 and plays either 2B or SS  from Game #1 on,  you guys will not be happy by May 31st.   

If, however, he goes to Worcester and rakes  , then  he will have shown he is much closer to being ready for MLB pitching . The slider/sweeper will eat him up  at the MLB level unless he gets more experience without the pressure of being in Boston .

I'm not sure we can know how well Mayer will do from April to May, and just as importantly, how well will any other player we choose do or would have done?

If Mayer hits .625, maybe DHam would have hit .600.

Poster will complain, no matter what we choose to do, unless the choice works great from day one.

[mvp 78]

On 3/21/2025 at 5:34 PM, vegasbob said:

If Mayer stays on the 26 and plays either 2B or SS  from Game #1 on,  you guys will not be happy by May 31st.   

If, however, he goes to Worcester and rakes  , then  he will have shown he is much closer to being ready for MLB pitching . The slider/sweeper will eat him up  at the MLB level unless he gets more experience without the pressure of being in Boston .

No harm in him going to AAA until June and absolutely raking.