Red Sox Top Prospect Named Breakout Candidate Heading Into 2026 Season

The Boston Red Sox enter the 2026 season with hopes of reaching the playoffs again, but this year, going on a deeper run.

Boston has been active this offseason, as the Red Sox landed the likes of Sonny Gray, Ranger Suarez, and Willson Contreras, among others.

Yet, heading into the season, Red Sox reporter Andrew Simon of MLB.com believes top prospect Marcelo Mayer is a key to success, as he believes the prospect will have a breakout season.

“Even early this offseason, Mayer looked like a key to Boston’s 2026 season,” Simon wrote in a piece published on Sunday. “But his importance has only increased as the offseason has gone on, with Bregman departing in free agency and Craig Breslow’s front office thus far being unable to land another impact player to handle second or third base. …

With some big league experience under his belt and better health (Mayer also sustained a season-ending right wrist injury in 2025), the 23-year-old could take a significant step forward in ‘26 and provide the Sox with some much-needed infield stability.”

Mayer appeared in 44 games last season and showed flashes of success. He hit .228 with four home runs and 10 RBIs. He was Boston’s No. 1 prospect in 2024 and is expected to start at third base, replacing Alex Bregman, who signed with the Chicago Cubs.

If Mayer can have a successful season in 2026, it would be a boost to the Red Sox’s lineup.

Boston is set to open its 2026 season on March 26 on the road against the Cincinnati Reds.