Red Sox invite top three prospects to big league spring training camp next month
The Red Sox added their top three prospects, Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell, and Marcelo Mayer, to their big league spring training roster as non-roster invitees Tuesday.
In addition to announcing their top three prospects, Boston also formally announced the signing of Abraham Toro, the versatile infielder who agreed to a minor league deal on Tuesday. He will also get an invite to big league camp. Catchers Nathan Hickey and Mark Kolozsvary and pitchers Jovani Morán, Jacob Webb, and Brian Van Belle received invitations.
Anthony, 20, was rated the No. 2 prospect by Baseball America and put together a strong season with Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester, where he slashed .291/.396/.498 with 18 homers. The top outfield prospect played in 35 games for the WooSox and hit .344 and has the potential to make the Opening Day roster.
Campbell burst onto the scene last season, soaring through the Red Sox system slashing .330/.439/.558 with a .997 OPS over three levels of the organization: High-A Greenville, Double-A Portland, and Triple-A Worcester. His season came to an end in early September after he went on the WooSox’ 7-day injured list with a lat strain.
The fast-rising prospect was named the Minor League Player of the Year by Baseball America in late-September.
“His rise is atypical,” Geoff Pontes wrote in Baseball America. “Since the Prospect Handbook launched in 2001, Campbell is the first Minor League POY who did not rank among his organization’s preseason Top 30. This wasn’t a misevaluation by the entire industry, but rather a testament to Campbell’s work ethic and the advances in Red Sox hitting development.”
Campbell has played all over the field this season defensively, seeing time at second base, shortstop, third base, and center field. His versatility will be important as he moves into the 2025 season and is on the brink of helping the Red Sox.
“He’s the kind of guy who bought into the programming, bought into what he felt like he needed to improve and what we provided for him in terms of training and focus,” Red Sox director of player development Brian Abraham said of Campbell when speaking with Pontes. “He added about 15 to 20 pounds of muscle and strength. When we talk about impacting the baseball, that’s a big thing.”
Boston is in need of another right-handed bat in their lineup, and the No. 4-ranked prospect by Baseball America could fill that void and has a real shot to make the team out of camp and play second base.
Mayer, 22, is currently tabbed as the No. 15 prospect by Baseball America. He hit .307/.370/.480 with 8 homers, 36 extra-base hits, and 13 steals for the Sea Dogs before being promoted to Worcester.
He suffered a lumbar strain while in Portland and subsequently was shut down by the Red Sox and was unable to make his WooSox’ debut. Injuries have plagued the top shortstop prospect over the last couple of seasons and he is expected to begin with the WooSox.
