Red Sox’s Offseason Moves and Promising Prospects
This offseason, the Boston Red Sox took bold steps to enhance their major league roster by acquiring players like Garrett Crochet, Walker Buehler, and Alex Bregman. However, they also demonstrated a different approach by placing top infield prospect Kristian Campbell on their Opening Day roster. This decision has proven beneficial, as Campbell has not only signed a long-term contract with the team but is also performing impressively with a .318/.426/.545 batting line in his first 13 games, primarily at second base.
Competitive Prospects Awaiting Their Opportunity
Campbell is not the only notable prospect pushing for a shot in the majors this spring. Outfielder Roman Anthony and infielder Marcelo Mayer are also highly regarded, ranking alongside Campbell as top-15 prospects in baseball. Although Campbell secured a quicker call-up due to a vacancy at second base and his standout minor league performance, it is likely that Anthony and Mayer will join him in the majors in the near future. However, the timing of their promotions remains uncertain.
Roman Anthony’s Potential and Challenges
Approaching his 21st birthday next month, Anthony has a strong argument for a promotion. Recognized as a top-two prospect by various major outlets, he has immense potential. Last season, he posted a .291/.396/.498 batting average across Double-A and Triple-A, with a fantastic .344/.463/.519 record in 35 games at Triple-A. Despite this, his Spring Training stats of .206/.391/.324 raised doubts about his readiness for the majors, leading the Red Sox to delay his promotion.
Early Season Struggles and Room for Improvement
Anthony’s early performance at Triple-A has not shown significant progress either, as he is batting .177/.364/.412 in ten games. Although this is a small sample size, his high strikeout rate of 31.8% indicates he might be struggling. Nonetheless, impressive walk rates and home runs have kept some optimism alive. Reports suggest that the Red Sox would prefer to see his performance against left-handed pitchers improve before promoting him, along with some defensive adjustments as he is likely to shift from center field to left field.
Marcelo Mayer’s Case for Promotion
Given Anthony’s current challenges, Mayer might have the edge for a promotion. The 22-year-old had an excellent Spring Training, hitting .333/.455/.528, which nearly won him the second base job. However, his lack of experience above Double-A made him a less likely candidate for the roster. His initial performance in Triple-A has seen him cool down significantly, with a .243/.282/.405 batting line and a 28.2% strikeout rate after nine games, which will require improvement to be considered for a call-up.
Potential Paths to the Majors for Both Players
The Red Sox are focusing on specific areas for Anthony’s development, while Mayer’s competitive performance in Spring Training could set him up for an earlier debut. Still, with Campbell already established at second base, Mayer’s prospects seem more complicated, as the infield is filled with talent, making a promotion more difficult. Conversely, Anthony has a clearer path to the outfield as the Red Sox’s current center fielder has struggled with performance, and an opening could arise for him to step in.
Fan Opinions on the Next Promotion
How do MLBTR readers predict this competition will unfold? Will Anthony secure a spot in the majors first due to his top prospect status and potential outfield opportunity? Or will Mayer’s strong Spring Training performance and the Red Sox’s focus on Anthony’s development lead to his promotion ahead of Anthony? Share your thoughts in the poll below:
