The Red Sox fanbase is increasingly questioning why top prospects Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer have yet to make their debut in the majors, especially as the team struggles with a .500 record. Anthony, ranked No. 1 and batting .322 with a .970 OPS at Triple-A Worcester, has displayed remarkable skills that would generally warrant a promotion. Despite this, Red Sox manager Alex Cora noted that while both players are pushing to make the roster, there isn’t an immediate opening on the big league team.
Mayer, positioned at No. 8 on Baseball America’s Top 100 Prospects, might have a clearer route to the majors due to the struggles of current starting shortstop Trevor Story. Story’s performance has noticeably dipped, currently batting .232, and his recent slump has resulted in him batting seventh in the lineup. Mayer’s versatility has allowed him to play second base, intelligently showing the Red Sox that he could potentially fill in where needed.
There is also concern regarding first base production, with injuries sidelining Triston Casas and Romy Gonzalez, leading to a decline in performance from other players. This situation may open up additional opportunities for Mayer in the near future, especially since he has been performing well in minor leagues, evidenced by his 41 RBI, which ranks him second in all of minor league baseball.
As the big league team continues to evaluate its options, the performance of Anthony and Mayer at Triple-A is challenging the organization to make tough decisions. Fans remain hopeful that with continued excellence in the minors, both prospects will find their way to the majors soon, enriching the Red Sox lineup during a critical part of the season.