Red Sox
“I’d much rather get cheered than booed. It was awesome. I love this place.”
Marcelo Mayer’s standing as a blue-chip prospect is not a direct result of his power potential at the plate. Since making the jump up to Double-A Portland in 2023, Mayer has slugged 23 home runs across parts of three minor-league seasons.
Rather, the 22-year-old’s blend of elite defensive capabilities, above-average hit tool, and decent pop paints the picture of a potential franchise shortstop who can be a fixture at the premium position for the long haul.
But in a banged-up Red Sox lineup that’s woefully short on power, Mayer has already flexed his muscles during his first few weeks against big-league competition.
Boston may not necessarily project Mayer to be a 30-homer regular, but the rookie has already provided some pop — headlined by his first two-homer game on Wednesday night against the Rays.
Mayer’s two round-trippers at Fenway Park gave Boston the offense it needed to secure both a 4-3 win over Tampa and a second straight series victory over an AL East opponent.
“Effortless,” manager Alex Cora said postgame of Mayer, per MassLive’s Chris Cotillo. “He’s not trying. Obviously, trying to hit the ball hard. But he’s able to go the other way… It’s a complete at-bat.”
Mayer started off strong against Tampa starter Zack Littell on Wednesday, opening the second inning by depositing a slider into the right-field seats to give Boston a 2-1 lead. He torched Littell again in his next at-bat, golfing a splitter from the starter into right field again to make it a 3-1 contest at the time.
As noted by former Red Sox stats guru J.P. Long, Mayer is one of just six Red Sox players — under the age of 23 — to record three home runs and reach base 15 times in his first 15 career games, joining a group that includes Rafael Devers, Billy Conigliaro, George Scott, Jerry Moses, and Ted Williams.
Even if Mayer’s power isn’t his primary calling card, the rookie noted that his immediate results are the result of a poised approach at the plate.
“The biggest thing is just getting a good pitch to hit and a pitch you can do damage on,” Mayer said. “Thankfully, I was on time and he put it in a good spot for me to do damage. It always feels good to hit a homer.”
While Mayer’s defense at third base has been steady, his production at the plate has been prone to some growing pains. But since connecting on his first home run at Yankee Stadium on June 6, Mayer believes as though he’s settling into a groove at the plate.
“It’s always better to hit a homer at home than on the road,” Mayer said. “I’d much rather get cheered than booed. It was awesome. I love this place. I love the energy Fenway Park brings so it’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.
“To get the first one at home was special. Then to get the second one, anytime you can help the team out offensively means a lot.”
Injuries to players like Alex Bregman and Triston Casas have hindered Boston’s ability to generate immediate offense by way of the big fly. But the Red Sox have now slugged 12 home runs in their last six games — with solo shots from Mayer (twice), Jarren Duran, and Abraham Toro proving all the offense on Wednesday.
“It’s important,” Cora said. “We can talk about putting the ball in play with men in scoring position or walking or running the bases well. In this league, that plays. When you hit homers, it’s a lot easier.
“They had a good gameplan going into it and they executed. We were very aggressive early in counts. Jarren hit it in the air, he (Marcelo) hit it in the air. It was a good day for the offense.”
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