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It was a successful weekend in the win-loss columns for the Boston Red Sox as they swept the Pittsburgh Pirates. But the club also sustained another injury with first baseman Triston Casas suffering a left rib strain.
The big-league team may be struggling from a health perspective, but the farm system has had some must-watch performances this season.
Marcelo Mayer is tearing the cover off the ball
Mayer, 21, has had a terrific start to the season with at least one hit in each of his first 10 games for Double-A Portland, including a walk-off Friday night. Saturday marked his first hitless game of the season, but he rebounded Sunday with an RBI double to make it 11 of 12 games with a hit.
Boston’s No. 1 prospect and No. 8 in MLB, according to The Athletic’s Keith Law, Mayer has gone 16-for-51 (.314) with four doubles and a homer along with two walks and 13 strikeouts.
Laser beam off the wall for Mayer pic.twitter.com/APVn9lVr2a
— Red Sox Stats (@redsoxstats) April 16, 2024
The shortstop started strong in 2023 before a shoulder injury derailed his season after his promotion to Double A.
The Red Sox still would like to see the lefty hitter cut down on his swing-and-miss rates, but the strong start is promising for a player with expectations to be the future shortstop for the club. Staying healthy remains key for Mayer, but it’s clear how much of an impact he can have when at full strength.
With Trevor Story out for the year with shoulder surgery, the Red Sox’s infield defense continues to struggle mightily. There have been calls to promote Mayer given his hot start, but the Red Sox want to solidify his development in Portland, particularly given he’s never played a full season of minor-league ball due to injuries.
That’s not to say a big league call-up this year is out of the question; it’s just highly unlikely in the first half. A more likely timeline could see Mayer, if he continues to stay consistent on this hot stretch, promoted to Triple A in June or July. Depending on the big-league team’s status, Mayer may get a call-up to Boston in August or September.
In the past two years, the Red Sox promoted top prospects Triston Casas and Ceddanne Rafaela in late August/early September. One caveat here is that it’s Craig Breslow’s first season as chief baseball officer, so it’s possible he doesn’t follow the same blueprint the Red Sox have previously used in prospect promotion. Regardless, there’s no indication Mayer will be up within the next couple of months.
Roman Anthony keeps progressing in Portland
Boston’s No. 2 prospect and No. 22 in MLB, according to Law, Anthony started strong with two homers in his first 10 games.
Enjoying a couple Roman Anthony dingers from yesterday! pic.twitter.com/JRTRcItHhd
— Red Sox Player Development (@RedSoxPlayerDev) April 14, 2024
Anthony was promoted late last season, playing his final 10 games in Portland and going 12-for-35 with a homer and four doubles.
After a handful of big-league spring training at-bats, he returned to Double A and has gone 12-for-48 (.250) with two homers and three doubles. He does have 21 strikeouts compared to six walks in 54 plate appearances, though. The Red Sox will want to see that even out as he gets more chances and continues to face more advanced pitching. He averaged a 24 percent strikeout rate last year across three levels. The Red Sox also want to see him get more plate appearances against left-handed pitchers while tapping more into his power.
Given he’s had even more limited time in Portland than Mayer and doesn’t turn 20 until next month, he’s likely to remain in Portland at least for the first half of this season.
Kyle Teel begins his first full season of pro ball
The 2023 first-round pick of the Red Sox skyrocketed to Double A by the end of last season, hitting .363 with a .977 OPS in 26 games across stints in the Florida Complex League, High A and Double A. Back in Portland to start this year, Teel, Law’s No. 4 Red Sox prospect and No. 54 in MLB, has continued his development. He’s 10-for-39 (.256) with two homers and a double in 10 games.
The Red Sox will want to see Teel continue his defensive development behind the plate while also balancing the offensive output that made him one of the best college catchers in baseball last year.
Wear teal, watch Kyle Teel tee off!
The @RedSox‘s No. 3 prospect (MLB No. 37) drills his second home run of the year for the @PortlandSeaDogs. pic.twitter.com/Y51MdVpTIc
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) April 19, 2024
Pitching has been a mixed bag in the early going
Wikelman Gonzalez and Luis Perales, Law’s 12th and 13th prospects in the organization, were added to the 40-man roster this winter to protect them from the Rule 5 draft.
In Double A, Gonzalez allowed seven earned runs in 2 2/3 innings through two starts with eight walks and two strikeouts. Sunday, due to recording just two outs in his previous start, Gonzalez came into the game following Angel Bastardo and threw three scoreless innings, allowing a hit and walk while striking out four.
Meanwhile, Perales has allowed five earned runs on 10 hits in five innings over two starts for High-A Greenville. He has struck out seven batters and walked two.
Also in Greenville, righty David Sandlin, Law’s No. 11 Red Sox prospect, who was acquired from Kansas City in the John Schreiber trade this spring, has also had a tough start through two games. He has allowed six earned runs in 6 2/3 innings with nine strikeouts and six walks.
Among the better pitching performances, lefty Zach Penrod in Portland has not allowed a run through 10 1/3 innings while giving up just three hits and three walks and striking out 14. He took a no-hitter into the sixth inning Thursday. The Red Sox signed the 26-year-old out of independent ball last summer.
Righty Richard Fitts, acquired from the New York Yankees in the Alex Verdugo trade, has looked good through three Triple-A starts. He has a 2.35 ERA with two walks and 13 strikeouts in 15 1/3 innings. Law ranked him the 17th-best Red Sox prospect.
Of note
In Portland, Matthew Lugo has had a nice start to the year, going 10-for-28 (.357) with three doubles, a triple and three homers. He had a below-average season in 2023 when he posted a .678 OPS in 83 games. Originally an infielder, Lugo started to see more outfield time last year and has played eight of nine games in left field so far this year.
(Photo of Mayer in spring training: Maddie Malhotra / Boston Red Sox / Getty Images)
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