With the beginning of the 2026 season lower than per week away, the Boston Red Sox have lastly made one among their largest roster selections.
Crimson Sox supervisor Alex Cora announced on Saturday that Marcelo Mayer will start the 12 months because the crew’s beginning second baseman. Kristian Campbell, who was Boston’s beginning second baseman on Opening Day in 2025, has been optioned to Triple-A.
Mayer, 23, was drafted fourth total by the Crimson Sox in 2021. He was seen by many as the highest total prospect in his draft class. Mayer made his MLB debut in Could 2025 after Alex Bregman suffered an damage, and the outcomes had been combined.
Marcelo Mayer had a irritating first season
Although he’s seen as one of the vital bodily gifted younger gamers in baseball, Mayer struggled on the plate for stretches final season. He hit simply .228 with 4 residence runs and 10 RBI in 44 video games.
Mayer is seen as a wonderful defensive participant, which is one cause he all the time had a robust likelihood of creating the MLB roster out of the gate in 2026. He’s a pure shortstop however can play a number of positions, which he confirmed in 2025 when he was a fill-in at third base. Mayer will start this season as a second baseman, however his versatility will give Cora flexibility to tweak lineups.
Marcelo Mayer needed to earn his spot
Whereas most followers will not be shocked that Mayer has made the Opening Day roster, Cora clearly needed the younger infielder to earn his spot. The supervisor mentioned as just lately as two weeks in the past that Mayer was not a lock to make the crew out of spring coaching.
It appeared like Cora needed to send Mayer a message about work ethic, and the message might have been acquired. Mayer has to develop into extra constant on the plate with a purpose to dwell as much as his excessive ceiling. For now, the Crimson Sox are hoping he’ll assist them win video games along with his glove whereas displaying progress on the plate.
