Despite the Boston Red Sox's additions of Alex Bregman and Garrett Crochet before the 2025 season began, it felt like the story of the offseason were the three prospects at the top of their farm system.
Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer were back then referred to as the "Big Three" prospects in the Red Sox organization. Despite being under 23 years old, each player had insane hype surrounding them and the hope for their future was real — ESPN insider Jeff Passan and legendary Red Sox outfielder Dwight Evans embodied it best in a feature about the three prospects, published last spring.
"In Campbell, Mayer and Anthony, he doesn't see prospects. Without an at-bat to their names in MLB, they remind Evans -- who spent 20 seasons in the major leagues, 19 with Boston -- of his peers," Passan wrote.
"I't's almost like they've been around 10 years in the big leagues," Evans said. "They just have it. They know what they're trying to do.'"
Now is the time for Red Sox Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer to live up to former top prospect hype
So far, Anthony is the only one who's begun living up to those expectations. Mayer flashed his hallmark defensive skill after his MLB debut, but struggled at the plate. After an American League Rookie of the Month-worthy April, Campbell struggled all around. He was optioned to Triple-A in mid-June and spent the rest of the season there, trying to get his groove back.
The three players are mature for their ages, by all accounts, and willing to put in the work to become the big leaguers the Red Sox and many baseball experts imagine them being. The story of last year was their respective arrivals to the big leagues — the story of this year will be how they deliver.
Anthony has already established himself as an everyday player on Boston's roster, but Alex Cora has made it clear that Mayer's roster spot isn't guaranteed. Campbell will have to force a fit with the team, since Craig Breslow hopes to return him to the already-crowded outfield. They both may have to work quickly if Breslow insists on operating with the trade market as much as he did this offseason.
Breslow refused to trade Mayer for Ketel Marte earlier this offseason, but the Sox are being more careful with him than Anthony and Campbell, who have already been signed to long-term extensions. The Boston Herald reported on August 6 that Mayer hasn't had any consequential extension discussions with the Red Sox (subscription required).
Mayer hasn't had the offensive breakout Anthony and Campbell have and he's more injury prone, all things which will have to change quickly for the Sox to see him as their shortstop of the future. He'll need to maintain his clean defense, as well, since improved fielding will be a huge part of Boston's success this year. He'll need to perform at a high level on both sides of the ball to grow into the player the Red Sox have advertised.
Despite being signed long-term, Campbell's contract is team-friendly and very tradeable if he can deliver more in the majors. His defensive skillset is more suited to the outfield, so the move could help there and he seems to have made serious improvements to his swing and added bulk over the winter.
Campbell and Mayer will get their playing time with the Red Sox this year at some point, even if they don't make the roster out of spring training (as of this writing, Mayer is making a good case for a spot). After last year's injuries and struggles, now is the time for them to live up to the excitement around them and establish themselves as key players while Boston's contending window is wide open.