Alex Cora has been impressed with two Red Sox prospects playing positions close to his heart.
“He plays the part,” Cora said of Marcelo Mayer, per NESN. “He’s really good at shortstop—smooth, good intuition, good instincts. For how tall he is, he moves with grace over there—an old-school kind of shortstop.”
Mayer, ranked as Boston’s No. 3 prospect behind Roman Anthony and Kristian Campbell, is attending his first big league camp in Fort Myers, Fla. While he’ll primarily work in the infield, the 22-year-old has told coaches he’s willing to play in the outfield if needed.
“He’s really good,” Cora added.
Meanwhile, Campbell—ranked No. 7 among all MLB prospects—has been focusing on second base this spring. He was initially considered a candidate for the Red Sox’s Opening Day lineup at the position, but that changed when the team signed Trevor Story.
Story is expected to play second base, as Rafael Devers remains firm in his preference to stay at third.
“He’s learning,” Cora said of Campbell. “The turns are getting better. He has range. He has good hands. We’re working hard with him at second base.”
Red Sox fans won’t have to wait long to see these young players in action. Cora confirmed that the organization’s top three prospects—Mayer, Campbell, and Anthony—will start in Boston’s first exhibition game Friday. Mayer and Campbell will man shortstop and second base, respectively, while Anthony plays left field.
The Red Sox will face the Northeastern Huskies on Friday at 1 p.m. ET, with the game airing on NESN.
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