BOSTON — The Red Sox want top shortstop prospect Marcelo Mayer to play more than just shortstop.
“Second, short, third,” manager Alex Cora said Saturday here at Fenway Fest.
Mayer, who Baseball America ranks No. 10 on its Top 100 list, has started 240 games in the field during his minor league career. Of those starts, 238 have come at shortstop. The other two were at third base when shortstop Trevor Story rehabbed with Double-A Portland in 2023.
“I think he has the ability and maturity to be an all the way around infielder,” Red Sox infield instructor Jose Flores said about Mayer here Saturday. “That being said, no doubt that he can play the left side of the field. Obviously second base will probably be a position that will be a little bit more awkward for him to learn on a faster pace just because it’s his blind side when turning double plays and all that. And it’s a little bit different. But it’s something that I know for a fact that he can pick up really fast. No doubt.”
Mayer turned 22 in December. He batted .307 with a .370 on-base percentage, .480 slugging percentage, .850 OPS, eight homers, 28 doubles, 38 RBIs, 60 runs, 30 walks, 66 strikeouts and 13 steals in 77 games (335 plate appearances) last season for Double-A Portland. He then received a promotion to Triple-A Worcester on Aug. 12 but didn’t appear in a game because of a lumbar strain.
Cora also mentioned Kristian Campbell, who Baseball America ranks No. 24 on its Top 100 list, will receive time at second base during spring training.
The 22-year-old Campbell started 35 games at second base, 32 games at shortstop, 25 games in center field and five games at third base last year.
“He’ll get a lot of reps at second base,” Cora said.
It makes sense to get Mayer and Campbell a lot reps at second base because the position remains a question mark. It’s possible Boston will still sign or trade for a second baseman. Vaughn Grissom right now is the leading candidate to be the Opening Day second baseman.
“I want to see the kids play,” Cora said. “Campbell and Marcelo and Roman (Anthony) — I want to see them play.”
- BETTING: Check out our MA sports betting guide, where you can learn basic terminology, definitions and how to read odds for those interested in learning how to bet in Massachusetts.
