Boston Red Sox news: Why No. 1 pick Marcelo Mayer is a special talent
With the No. 4 pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, the Boston Red Sox selected Marcelo Mayer, an 18 year old short stop from Chula Vista, CA.
The 18-year-old shortstop was scouted for the Red Sox by Southern California scout J.J. Altobelli.
What Altobelli saw was a young talent with a major league frame.
Going into the draft, Marcelo Mayer was touted as one of, if not THE best all-around prospect going into the Sunday evening event. Due to a highly productive senior season at Eastlake High School, Mayer jumped up to the top spot on MLB Pipeline’s Draft Rankings.
Some things to know about our first-round #MLBDraft pick: pic.twitter.com/xVr5Tm5X2W
— Red Sox (@RedSox) July 12, 2021
Although there was much chatter and hope that Boston could pick Vandy Ace Jack Leiter, he was taken off of the board for the second pick by the Texas Rangers. The shakeup at the top of the draft allowed the 6-foot-3, 188-pound talent to drop down to the Red Sox, which was welcomed news for the organization.
Fortunately, Boston Red Sox Chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom came in clutch again to snag the potential five-tool talent short stop.
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"“For sure wasn’t the likeliest outcome in our eyes. That’s fair to say,” Red Sox amateur scouting director Paul Toboni said of Mayer, via MLB.om. “This Draft seemed a little unsettled at the top and it was tough to grasp if there was consensus on these players, amongst not just the three teams that picked ahead of us, but, of course, ourselves, and the teams that picked behind us.”"
Toboni went on to acknowledge that the team had the top picks ranked a little differently, but was definitely not complaining that the exciting shortstop dropped to them. The player was just as pumped up about the team that selected him.
Mayer, who committed to USC, was obviously excited by the selection, telling MLB Network that it was everything he could ask for. Now, sky is the limit for the top rated prospect in the Red Sox organization.
Boston Red Sox top draft pick: Highlighting the accolades of Marcelo Mayer
Mayer was named to the 2021 Baseball America High School All-America First Team after hitting .392 with 14 homers and 45 RBI in 34 games played this season. He also played in the 2020 Perfect Game All-American Classic.
According to Baseball America, MLB scouting departments listed him as the No.2 best pure hitter, the best defensive infielder and second-closest to the Majors.
Due to Boston’s lack of success during the shortened 2020 season, picking Mayer at No. 4 was one for the history books as it was the Red Sox’s highest pick in the Draft since 1967 where the picked RHP Mike Garman third overall.
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Marcelo Mayer is a big, hard-throwing, heavy hitting short stop, something we have seen a little more lately in the game of baseball, changing minds on what type of player can really play the position.
Mayer really has a shot to be something special for the Red Sox organization and the sky is the limit for him right now. Welcome to Boston, Marcelo and God Speed.