Red Sox Rookie Marcelo Mayer Reflects On First Month In Majors
Marcelo Mayer continues to find his footing in the big leagues.
The Boston Red Sox promoted Mayer on May 24, so the 22-year-old rookie is approaching a full month in the majors. Mayer discussed his assimilation in a NESN interview conducted before Wednesday’s game against the Seattle Mariners.
“I feel good,” Mayer said. “Obviously, it’s my first time seeing these arms. Every day is a new arm I’ve never seen before, but I’m doing a really good job of doing my homework before the game and making sure that I’m putting myself in the best possible situation to help the team win.”
In his first 20 games, Mayer batted .214/.262/.429 with three home runs, two against the Tampa Bay Rays on June 11. Although he’s struggled to steadily reach base, the infielder entered Wednesday’s game with an average exit velocity of 92.4 mph.
Mayer predicted better results if he keeps making loud contact.
“Any time I’m hitting the ball hard, it’s telling me that I’m swinging at good pitches,” Mayer said. “So, as long as I keep that going, I think I’m going to be in a really good spot.”
Mayer quickly validated that assessment by hitting his fourth home run on Wednesday. He belted a solo shot off Luis Castillo in the second inning that traveled 379 feet at 96.3 mph.
Alex Cora has mostly limited MLB.com’s No. 8 prospect to a platoon against right-handed pitching. That may not change anytime soon with right-handed hitters Abraham Toro, Romy Gonzalez, and Rob Refsnyder punishing lefties.
However, the bigger question is what happens when Alex Bregman returns from the injured list. The third baseman is working his way back from a quad injury, so it may require some creativity to keep Mayer in the Red Sox’s lineup this summer.