Red Sox's Top Prospect Marcelo Mayer Draws MVP Comparison As Stock Rises
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Most prospects have a rocky path to the big leagues -- regardless of their Major League Baseball Draft status.
There still are plenty of hurdles to jump before making his debut but thus far Boston Red Sox appear to have an exception to the standard.
Shortstop prospect Marcelo Mayer has been as advertised at each stop and could glide into the big leagues.
Mayer received national hype before he was selected No. 4 overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, but he's gaining even more steam as he trends closer to an MLB debut.
ESPN's Kiley McDaniel pegged Mayer as the No. 7 prospect in the league and attached a favorable comparison. The 20-year-old reminds McDaniel of Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich, but at shortstop.
In other words, a former National League MVP with three Silver Sluggers, a pair of Batting Titles and a Gold Glove -- but at a more premier position. Not a bad draw for the young kid.
Here is an excerpt of McDaniels breakdown:
"Mayer has the choice to lean more into power or contact, but either way he will come with defensive value, like Yelich did in the outfield," McDaniels wrote Wednesday. "I'll split the difference and call both Mayer's hit and power tools 55-grade ability (.270 with 20-25 homers), but either could also be a 60, and there are no concerns that he can post at least average defensive performances at shortstop.
"Mayer isn't a burner and isn't traditionally explosive in the 'I'd love to see this guy at an NFL combine' way, but he has all the little baseball-specific skills that are required to be a perennial All-Star."
Mayer has hit .279 with 53 extra-base hits including 16 home runs, 70 RBIs and a .872 OPS in 117 career minor-league games between Rookie Ball (26 games), Single-A Salem (66 games) and High-A Greenville (25 games).
The sweet-swinging lefty also posted an encouraging 134-to-83 strikeout-to-walk ratio and has stolen 24 bases in 25 attempts -- despite not being known as a speedster.
The Yelich comparison is likely due to his frame and swing -- both of which compare favorably to the face of the Brewers franchise.
Considering Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom and company decided to let superstar shortstop Xander Bogaerts walk, Mayer will need to be a perennial All-Star to justify the aforementioned decision.
Mayer will be one of the most interesting prospects to follow from spring training through the regular season. Another strong season could have him on track for an MLB debut in 2024.
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