Marcelo Mayer shows Portland what he can do
It had been a relatively slow start for Red Sox top prospect Marcelo Mayer upon his arrival to Portland for his first home series. Entering Tuesday’s series opener, Mayer was just 3-20, with all three hits coming in the previous game in Sommerville. While Tuesday’s display was rather tame, going 0-3 with a sac fly RBI, Wednesday night was a different story.
At the bottom of the first inning, Mayer stepped up to the plate and shot a liner up the middle for a base hit. He did well in this at bat, working the count to 2-2. Unfortunately, he was caught stealing during the next at-bat, attempting to take 2nd base.
It was the following at-bat, that Mayer really put on a show for the home crowd. He blasted a 2-1 pitch, high over the right field wall. There wasn’t really any question that this ball was going to leave the yard. Mayer ended up with his first career AA home run.
While the overall numbers at AA so far point to a slow start, he leaves Wednesday night with five hits in his last 11 at-bats. The jump from high A to AA is often described as the toughest to make for prospects looking to prove themselves.
Defensively, it has been quiet so far for the 20-year-old. On Tuesday night he turned a double play with Nick Yorke and was part of a relay to cut down a runner at third base. He had some bad luck Wednesday night on an error due to a rocket off the bat that shot under his glove.
In what has been a very small sample size so far, Mayer is proving why he is regarded as one of the top prospects in the entire sport. Between his smooth swing from the left side and double-play combinations with Nick Yorke, it should be a fun summer for fans.
Mayer and the rest of the Sea Dogs will continue their series against the Akron Rubberducks, with the final game on Sunday.
Follow Josh on Twitter @Joshball22
For additional Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots, MLB, and NFL content follow Beyond the Monster on Twitter @BeyondtheMnstr.
Join our new Facebook group for all of our latest content, click the link here.
