Marcelo Mayer crushes a home run off Nathan Eovaldi during a simulated game at JetBlue Park complex
The Red Sox are off on Monday, however they did play an intra-squad game today down in Fort Myers. Top prospect Marcelo Mayer showed off some power when he took ace Nathan Eovaldi deep at the JetBlue Park complex.
Mayer crushed a 420-foot homer off Eovaldi who is slated to be the Opening Day starter in the Bronx on April 7.
“It’s an uncomforable at-bat. Nathan Eovaldi is one of the best starters in the league,” said Mayer to WEEI’s Rob Bradford. “I was shocked when I hit it, but he has so many good pitches that you got to just really simplify it. So I just ended up sitting [on a fastball] and I was able to get it.”
“I knew I got it pretty good, but you never know with this ballpark. It’s pretty big to right field,” he added. “It was just a really cool moment. I was kind of shocked, like I said. Just to be able to put a ball in play against him, it’s pretty cool.”
Mayer is ranked as the No. 15 prospect on Baseball America’s top 100 list. Last season, he hit .275 with three home runs, four doubles, one triple and 17 RBIs in the Florida Complex League.
Manager Alex Cora has spoken highly of Mayer while in camp this spring. The left-handed prospect made his in-game spring debut on March 25, going 0-for1 with a walk and a strikeout.
“He’s not anxious, and he feels like he belongs,” Cora said following Mayer’s spring debut.
“Last night, after the game, I’m walking [around] the clubhouse and he’s like, ‘A.C., thank you.’ I’m like, ‘For what?’ He was like, ‘That was fun.’ Not too many kids say that. I know it meant a lot for them just to play together and be in that environment. It’s a good taste.”
Mayer is likely to being the 2022 season at Low-A Salem and will look to build on his first professional season.
The Red Sox return to Grapefruit League action on Tuesday. Boston will travel to Bradenton, Florida to play the Pirates from LECOM Park. First pitch will be at 1:05 p.m.
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