Top prospects Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer are practically kicking down the door to Fenway Park. The Boston Red Sox will be forced to promote the two young stars sooner rather than later, especially if their offense stays as underwhelming as it's been through the first quarter of the campaign.
Anthony and Mayer are often billed something of a package deal — it also formerly included fellow top prospect Kyle Teel before he was traded to the White Sox for Garrett Crochet. Kristian Campbell's meteoric rise from the farm system still kept the "Big Three" nickname intact, but now that he's been in the big leagues for almost 50 games, the calls for Anthony and Mayer's promotions have only crescendoed. But the young Sox will likely come to the majors separately.
Red Sox insider Sean McAdam shared in his weekly column that he believes either Anthony or Mayer will be in the big leagues no later than early June (subscription required). He emphasized that they likely won't be summoned together. Ian Browne of MLB.com shared a similar sentiment in a recent Reddit AMA — he believes Mayer is likely to be called up first.
Browne's expectation could come as a surprise to some Sox fans. Anthony was promoted to Triple-A in August 2024 and has raked ever since. Mayer was promoted alongside him, but the Red Sox organization ended his season early due to a lower back injury.
Red Sox insiders predict either Roman Anthony or Marcelo Mayer will be called up in early June
Despite Anthony's extra Triple-A experience, Mayer could be the first top prospect promoted because his path to the roster is easier. Campbell has begun taking drills at first base to potentially take over at the corner in Triston Casas' absence, and that move would open second base. Trevor Story could shift one position to the left to allow Mayer to play his natural position at shortstop, but the Red Sox have also begun playing Mayer at second base in Triple-A. The May 23 injury to Alex Bregman could also expedite the infielder's call-up if it ends up being more than a day-to-day situation.
Mayer is batting .265/.344/.452 with five doubles, a triple, eight homers and an International League-leading 41 RBI. He's also logged just one error in his 237 innings at shortstop this year. Anthony is batting .323/.455/.513 with eight doubles, two triples and six homers in 44 games — while he's producing at a torrid pace at the plate, Boston's outfield can't accommodate him without benching someone or cutting someone loose.
No matter who the Red Sox call up first, it's time for a change. The offense posted a breakout performance against the Orioles, but the Sox's frequent strikeouts and failures to deliver with runners in scoring position show they need to shake things up in the batting order. Mayer, Anthony or both could spark the offense and change Boston's vibes for the better.