Three of the most promising prospects in baseball are gearing up for their big league debut—and they rank among MLB Pipeline’s top 12. And they are from the Boston Red Sox. Meet Marcelo Mayer, Roman Anthony, and Kristian Campbell, the trio that has everyone talking. This young core has the potential to be the next generation of stars, carrying forward the Red Sox’s legacy.

While Anthony and Campbell grab headlines, Mayer is often overlooked. Once the top prospect of the trio, injuries sidelined him for the latter parts of 2023 and 2024. First due to a nagging shoulder issue and then to a lumbar strain. Still, he posted elite numbers in Double-A, slashing .307/.370/.480 with a 142 wRC+, ranking among the best shortstops at that level in the past decade. And his exit velocity places him among MLB’s top young hitters. Only Oneil Cruz, Gunnar Henderson, Bobby Witt Jr., and Corey Seager had higher exit velocities across both the majors and minors.

Red Sox Skipper Alex Cora recently acknowledged Mayer’s underrated status, setting the record straight once and for all on the young infielder’s potential. “Sometimes people don’t talk about him. Kind of like he’s the forgotten one. He is still a freaking good player,” Cora said.

Mayer, Anthony, and Campbell have risen through Boston’s system with standout performances. Mayer, the 2021 fourth overall pick, showed elite defense and a strong bat, reaching Double-A by 2023. Anthony soared from Single-A to Double-A in just a year. And Campbell, a 2023 fourth-round pick, hit over .300 in his debut season, quickly earning a High-A promotion.

But despite his impressive resume, Mayer continues to fly under the radar. With his combination of skill, power, and consistency, he has all the makings of a future star. Perhaps it’s time the Boston Red Sox fans—and the baseball world—to give him the recognition he truly deserves.

Mayer is letting his bat do the talking

Marcelo Mayer is proving with his performance that he is not here to play any supporting role. Back from injury, the 22-year-old infielder has been turning heads this spring. He’s proving he has what it takes to compete at the highest level.

“You can tell the moment is not big. He’s very comfortable in the environment,” Cora doesn’t hold back as he makes his feelings clear. He applauded Mayer’s composure as he took the bat against much more accomplished pitchers.

Mayer backed up Cora’s endorsement in Thursday’s spring training game against the Detroit Tigers, going 3-for-3 with an RBI triple and a two-run home run. It’s a bit ironic that the Tigers passed on Mayer in the 2021 draft, choosing right-hander Jackson Jobe instead. Well, Mayer’s recent performances would definitely have Detroit looking back at what could have been.

With the 2025 season getting closer, Mayer is proving he’s ready for the big leagues. He’s not just another young prospect—he has what it takes to be a key player for the Boston Red Sox. If his spring training performance is anything to go by, it won’t be long before everyone takes notice.