These prospects are creating buzz in the Red Sox’s system
This story was excerpted from Ian Browne’s Red Sox Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
BOSTON – The Red Sox will play their 81st game on Wednesday, marking the halfway point of the regular season.
Down on the farm, the affiliates are also approximately halfway home.
Boston’s Minor League system is drawing its most buzz in over a decade, when stars like Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, Andrew Benintendi and Jackie Bradley Jr. were carving out spots as can’t-miss prospects for an eventual World Series championship team.
The players creating the most excitement these days? The big three of Marcelo Mayer (Red Sox’s No. 1 prospect, No. 11 overall), Roman Anthony (Boston’s No. 2 prospect, No. 16 overall) and Kyle Teel (Sox’s No. 3 prospect, No. 29 overall), who are playing together at Double-A Portland.
There are many other success stories this season as well, and here is a look at the best individual performers on the farm in the first half.
Overall top player
It doesn’t always happen that the top player in the farm system is performing the best, but that is the case these last three months when it comes to Marcelo Mayer.
The shortstop has avoided the injury bug that robbed him of significant time the last two seasons and is putting his skills on display on a daily basis.
Mayer has played in 63 of 69 games for the Sea Dogs, slashing .309/.373/.482 while compiling 50 runs, 25 doubles, six homers, 34 RBIs and 12 stolen bases (in 14 attempts). Of late, Mayer – the fourth pick in the 2021 Draft – has been on fire, hitting .349 in June.
All the while, the 21-year-old has played outstanding defense, showcasing smooth range and a strong arm.
Considering that Portland is hardly the best environment to hit in, especially in those chilly first couple of months, Mayer’s season is something to feel good about. His numbers should tick up considerably once he gets promoted to Triple-A Worcester, as evidenced by his .890 OPS on the road vs. .826 at home.
For Mayer to be the difference-maker the Red Sox expect he will be at the Major League level, he will need to get better against left-handed pitching. In 55 at-bats against lefties this season, Mayer has a line of .218/.290/.309. Conversely, he has cru
