A finally healthy Trevor Story has been a critical part of the Boston Red Sox's early success, just as advertised in his first three seasons with the club.
Story has had brutal luck with injuries since he signed with the Red Sox organization ahead of the 2022 season. He'd played just over a season's worth of baseball games in his first three years with the club, and Sox fans were left wondering whether the team's six-year, $140 investment would ever be worth it.
Just a few weeks into the 2025 season, Story has already put a dent in those worries. Like the rest of Boston's top bats, he got off to a rough start in his first series against the Rangers with a 1-for-12 showing at the plate. But Story has found his rhythm and is batting .337/.366/.528 with a .894 OPS in his first 23 games. In his seven latest appearances, he's slashing a staggering .464/.500/.821 with three homers and 10 RBI.
Red Sox fans are thrilled that Story is finally healthy and living up to expectations on both sides of the ball. But there's a top prospect waiting in the wings that Boston fans have been excited about for years.
The Red Sox's No. 3 prospect Marcelo Mayer thought he should've made the Opening Day roster after an excellent spring training, and he probably has a point. Mayer batted .333/.455/.528 with a .983 OPS with 11 RBI in 20 games. The 22-year-old posted two injury-shortened seasons in 2023-24, but his standout spring training reinvigorated rampant hype around him.
It was easy for Sox fans to be excited about Mayer's impending debut when Story was a question mark in the lineup. It could be hard for the Red Sox to justify promoting Mayer when Story is playing as well as he is.
There may be a way for both players to fit into Boston's lineup. Kristian Campbell has been the Sox's most-used second baseman, but he can also slot into the outfield. If the Red Sox transition the struggling Ceddanne Rafaela to a utility role and shift Campbell to the outfield, Mayer could fit in at second base to bring some of the smoothest defense in the Sox's farm system directly next to Story in the infield. That's easier said than done, since Boston extended Rafaela last year and Mayer has only started two games at second base this season, but Story is under contract until after the 2029 season, so it'll have to figure something out.
The Red Sox are itching to get their top prospects to the big leagues, but Story's success could cloud the timeline for Mayer's debut. One thing's for sure — the Sox can't rationalize playing Story any less when he's this hot at the plate.