The Boston Red Sox have some big expectations entering 2025 and a big reason are the top three prospects in their organization. Kristian Campbell has already made an impact, hitting .417 in his first seven games and earning an eight-year contract in the opening week of the season and Sox fans are left to wonder who the next prospect will be to make their way to the majors.
While outfielder Roman Anthony’s time will come, there’s an obvious first call-up the Red Sox should make. And it could come sooner than you think if a veteran continues to struggle past the opening week of the season.
Red Sox Prospect Marcelo Mayer Could Be Called Up If Trevor Story Continues to Struggle
Marcelo Mayer has been considered a top prospect since he was selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2021 draft. But the 22-year-old’s time appeared to be near with a strong performance in Spring Training, hitting .333/.455/.528 with a home run and 11 RBI over 20 games and walked eight times compared to 11 strikeouts.
If this were MLB The Show, it would have been enticing to put Mayer as the starting shortstop and move ahead in a franchise mode. But it also would ignore Trevor Story, who is standing in Mayer’s way of a potential call-up.
Story is in the fourth year of a six-year, $140 million free agent contract signed before the 2022 season and has responded by hitting .231/.294/.396 with 22 home runs and 91 games over 170 games. He also dealt with a slew of injuries including a shoulder injury that limited him to just 26 games last season.
The struggles have continued at the beginning of this season as Story has gone 5-for-23 (.217) at the plate with a home run, a walk and nine strikeouts and The Athletic’s Cody Stavenhagen ranked Story’s contract as one of the worst contracts in baseball last offseason.
With all of those factors, Story could be on a short leash to begin the season – especially with the hype Mayer has gained over the past year. The California native hit .307/.370/.480 with eight home runs, 38 RBI and 13 stolen bases at Double-A Portland last year and opened this year strong, going 5-for-21 with a pair of home runs and seven RBI in his first five games at Triple-A Worcester.
Mayer has his own injury history to worry about as he has yet to play 100 games in a professional season. But he may have a low bar to clear in terms of on-field performance if Story struggles. That leaves an easy path to the majors and one that could have Mayer starting for the Red Sox sooner than later.