Marcelo Mayer, 2021 1-4

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make hers mark
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What’s not to like? Guy was projected to be the first overall? I get high school kid doubt but this was a slam dunk selection.

Baseball America says he’s the best defensive SS glove in the class. Love his swing, can hit to all fields. Maybe a little lean but I think he can fill out properly for power as I think short term he’s more a gap hitter.
 

grimshaw

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The fact he can field gives him a really high floor. That's not a tool that worsens in the minors unless there is an injury or major weight gain. Even if he's a terrible hitter like Nick Ahmed he still has value, so the odds of him being a bust are very low.
 

jon abbey

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The fact he can field gives him a really high floor. That's not a tool that worsens in the minors unless there is an injury or major weight gain. Even if he's a terrible hitter like Nick Ahmed he still has value, so the odds of him being a bust are very low.
It’s not relevant for Mayer but NY took Kyle Holder #30 in the first round in 2015, with Ozzie Smith comps on D. He is still fantastic on D and also he is 27 with no MLB ABs and a craptacular .452 OPS in AAA.
 

grimshaw

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It’s not relevant for Mayer but NY took Kyle Holder #30 in the first round in 2015, with Ozzie Smith comps on D. He is still fantastic on D and also he is 27 with no MLB ABs and a craptacular .452 OPS in AAA.
I was curious so looked up 2015 shortstops. The best hitting one in baseball then was Brandon Crawford .256/.321/.462, so I can see why the Yankees may have been just hoping for the best since the hitting bar to clear to be a useful starting shortstop was low.

Deven Marrero went #24 in 2012 and had a career wRC+ of 35. The Sox drafted him when there were no SS superstars in their prime then (Ian Desmond was the best hitting everyday shortstop) and Zobrist played multiple positions. I believe he had a decent hit tool but that never materialized.
 

OnTheBlack

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The fact he can field gives him a really high floor. That's not a tool that worsens in the minors unless there is an injury or major weight gain. Even if he's a terrible hitter like Nick Ahmed he still has value, so the odds of him being a bust are very low.
Played against Nick Ahmed in High School. He threw gas. My greatest athletic accomplishment is probably ripping g a double off him.
 

edoug

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Has anyone said what college he he has committed to? I think he is going to sign with the Sox. still, a little curious.
 

RedOctober3829

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Jim Bowden ranks Mayer #12 on his top 50 prospect list.
12. Marcelo Mayer, SS, Boston Red Sox
Age: 18
Bats: L Throws: R
Height: 6-3 Weight: 188
Scouting Grades: HIT: 60 PWR: 55 FLD: 55 RUN: 50 ARM: 65 FLD: 55

Mayer reminds me a lot of Corey Seager because of his pure swing, power potential, and ability to play an above-average shortstop despite not having the running tool of most elite shortstops. Like Seager, his bat-to-ball skills are special, and his power will only grow as he physically matures into his 6-3 frame. Mayer has an above-average baseball IQ and instincts; he always seems to be in the right place at the right time. He has an All-Star-caliber, Silver Slugger ceiling, and I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t reach it.
 

brandonchristensen

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Jim Bowden ranks Mayer #12 on his top 50 prospect list.
12. Marcelo Mayer, SS, Boston Red Sox
Age: 18
Bats: L Throws: R
Height: 6-3 Weight: 188
Scouting Grades: HIT: 60 PWR: 55 FLD: 55 RUN: 50 ARM: 65 FLD: 55

Mayer reminds me a lot of Corey Seager because of his pure swing, power potential, and ability to play an above-average shortstop despite not having the running tool of most elite shortstops. Like Seager, his bat-to-ball skills are special, and his power will only grow as he physically matures into his 6-3 frame. Mayer has an above-average baseball IQ and instincts; he always seems to be in the right place at the right time. He has an All-Star-caliber, Silver Slugger ceiling, and I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t reach it.
What did they say about Tatis Jr? Can we expect a similar speed of moving into the big leagues? Just wondering if he can be a replacement for XB sooner than later. Devers rose fast and has been great - do we have another one on our hands?

With him, Casas and Yorke - there’s some realoffensive potential that I feel can be part of the big club young.
 

RedOctober3829

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What did they say about Tatis Jr? Can we expect a similar speed of moving into the big leagues? Just wondering if he can be a replacement for XB sooner than later. Devers rose fast and has been great - do we have another one on our hands?

With him, Casas and Yorke - there’s some realoffensive potential that I feel can be part of the big club young.
No I can't imagine Mayer comes to the big leagues nearly as fast as Tatis did. I wouldn't reasonably expect Mayer in Boston until like 2025. That would give him a partial season this year and 3 full years in the minors before seeing where he's at.
 

brandonchristensen

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No I can't imagine Mayer comes to the big leagues nearly as fast as Tatis did. I wouldn't reasonably expect Mayer in Boston until like 2025. That would give him a partial season this year and 3 full years in the minors before seeing where he's at.
I didn’t follow Tatis rise so I didn’t know how this compared.
 

shaggydog2000

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What did they say about Tatis Jr? Can we expect a similar speed of moving into the big leagues? Just wondering if he can be a replacement for XB sooner than later. Devers rose fast and has been great - do we have another one on our hands?

With him, Casas and Yorke - there’s some realoffensive potential that I feel can be part of the big club young.
There are 3 players in the MLB in their age 21 year or younger that have more than 100 ABs, and Wander Franco is the only one with a wrc+ above 70. He was the top prospect on everyone's list, and he's only played about half the games this year so far. That just shows how tough it is to break in as a player that young. If Mayer is in the majors within 3 years he'll be an incredibly rare talent.
 

sean1562

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It is certainly possible though, no? The guy was projected to be the #1 overall pick and reports seem to say he will be a good defensive SS, which raises his floor a bit. Carlos Correa and Manny Machado broke into the league at 20. Xander, Gleybar, and Lindor played their first full seasons at 21.
 

shaggydog2000

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It is certainly possible though, no? The guy was projected to be the #1 overall pick and reports seem to say he will be a good defensive SS, which raises his floor a bit. Carlos Correa and Manny Machado broke into the league at 20. Xander, Gleybar, and Lindor played their first full seasons at 21.
It's not impossible. It's just not likely unless he's a truly elite talent and develops quickly. Which he has a better chance of being than most other players drafted, but it's still not anything you should expect.
 

DGreenwood

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Keith Law has Marcelo at 18 on his top 100 prospects list (The Athletic). It's the highest ranking of any of the 2021 draftees.

18. Marcelo Mayer, SS, Boston Red Sox

Age: 19 | 6-3 | 188 pounds
Bats: Left | Throws: Right
Drafted: No. 4 in 2021

Previous ranking: Ineligible

Mayer was the best high school prospect in the 2021 draft class, and the Red Sox were ecstatic to get him with the No. 4 pick, landing a high-upside hitter at one of the most important positions on the field. Mayer repeats his swing well, with good balance throughout, and his strong wrists and forearms point to more future power than his wiry frame might imply. Some small swing changes to help him transfer his weight through contact could unlock that power in short order, even before he fills out. He has excellent hands and strong lateral range at shortstop, with no doubt he stays there and the potential to end up plus. He showed solid command of the strike zone in the Florida Complex League this summer and had the advantage of facing better competition as a high schooler in California than most hitters elsewhere in the country, so there’s cause to believe he’ll be a solid on-base guy, as well. There’s a lot to work with here on top of a very strong foundation of defensive and offensive skills, giving Mayer a solid floor as a soft regular and the upside of a No. 2 hitter who saves 5 to 10 runs a year with his glove.
 

Jed Zeppelin

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No walks?
He actually drew his first two walks last night so he is down to a measly .455/.500/.591. I imagine it is tough to draw walks when you are hitting ropes everywhere.

I was actually wondering at what point does the org call someone up if they are so clearly above the competition. I know there have been some fast promotions before. I assume there's a point where a nightly laser show is actually a little detrimental.
 

Scoops Bolling

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4-5 tonight and AVG now up to .370. Greenville might not be too far away.
No, he needs significantly more time in Low A. His line is good, but there are a lot of teenage batters tearing up Low A early in the year. Part of the goal this year is letting Mayer acclimate to a professional length season, he's going to hit road bumps simply from fatigue, better to let him stay at an age appropriate level and build up his confidence so he can work on whatever changes the Red Sox are undoubtedly trying to implement without getting into his head because he's scuffling at the plate. I wouldn't expect to see him promoted until late July or August unless he begins to truly annihilate that level (I'm talking 1.100+ OPS, walking more than he's K-ing, just clearly not being challenged).
 

BigSoxFan

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No, he needs significantly more time in Low A. His line is good, but there are a lot of teenage batters tearing up Low A early in the year. Part of the goal this year is letting Mayer acclimate to a professional length season, he's going to hit road bumps simply from fatigue, better to let him stay at an age appropriate level and build up his confidence so he can work on whatever changes the Red Sox are undoubtedly trying to implement without getting into his head because he's scuffling at the plate. I wouldn't expect to see him promoted until late July or August unless he begins to truly annihilate that level (I'm talking 1.100+ OPS, walking more than he's K-ing, just clearly not being challenged).
I wasn’t suggesting he’d be promoted before the summer. But a promotion should absolutely be on the table this year if he keeps this up.
 

LoLsapien

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"I say potential shortstop because Mayer’s range and arm strength aren’t slam dunk fits there. He makes a lot of nice plays through feel and effort, but most big league shortstops are better than this. Mayer is so young that it’s plausible he could find a way to become rangier and profile there more comfortably. Here I have him projected at short, but as a 40-grade defender. It’s a version of the Corey Seager profile without quite as high of a ceiling."

I was a bit shocked to read this Fangraphs review of Mayer's defense in the Minor League thread. Can someone explain how we went from "best defensive shortstop in his class" to, meh? Might not stick?
 

LoLsapien

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Soxprospects.com scouting report: Field: "Instinctual defender with very fluid actions. Looks like he is gliding on the field. Soft hands and solid footwork. Moves well and has plenty of range for shortstop. Confident defender; will take a flashy infield. Potential plus defender at short."
Arm: "Plus arm, plenty for shortstop. Able to make all the throws with plenty of zip"
 

Jed Zeppelin

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I have not seen enough of him to say for certain but I wonder if as a very fluid natural player he may get dinged a bit for not looking like he is doing the incredible out there. Xander was occasionally dogged with "should he move to 3b" questions over his career maybe for the same reasons but if the biggest ding on Mayer ends up being "can't get to everything" while he is putting up .280/.350/.480 lines with smooth if unspectacular D at short I am quite sure we'll be bouncing off the walls with joy.
 

trekfan55

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View: https://twitter.com/tylermilliken_/status/1699500832784286018?s=20


Marcelo Mayer has been shutdown for the rest of the season, per
@IanMBrowne
. Statement from Brian Abraham (Director of Player Development): "Marcelo will not play again this year in Portland. He will focus on his rehab in Fort Myers - strengthening of his shoulder, so he can have a full, normal offseason. We are very pleased with the progress he has made so far."
That tweet has unleashed a lot of panicky responses. Here's hoping for the best in 2024
 

The Gray Eagle

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Mayer was going to go to Trevor Story's infield camp, but ended up not going.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/01/15/sports/trevor-story-red-sox/

I have not seen it written before that he had a setback in his injury recovery in November.

Marcelo Mayer initially was scheduled to attend but the decision was made to have him continue with physical therapy for the impingement in his left shoulder.
Mayer was shut down on Aug. 4 after struggling at the plate in Double A. He then had a setback in November.
There are no indications the 21-year-old will require surgery.
I hope he is back on the field and 100% soon.
 

Chainsaw318

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Mayer was going to go to Trevor Story's infield camp, but ended up not going.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/01/15/sports/trevor-story-red-sox/

I have not seen it written before that he had a setback in his injury recovery in November.



I hope he is back on the field and 100% soon.

There was this bit in an Athletic article recently, with Sox farm director Brian Abraham :

“Mayer’s been splitting his time this winter between his home in California and the Red Sox’s facility in Fort Myers, Fla. His hitting progression is in a planned downtime, but he’s doing full strength and conditioning and complete defensive work. He will be checked out this week before resuming his regular hitting progression into what’s expected to be a normal and healthy spring training. Abraham said that Mayer adding “good weight” has been an offseason goal so that he can better impact the baseball.”

Reading that quote optimistically sounds like he’s fielding and throwing, but just not hitting yet?