No. 4 overall pick Mayer hits 1st pro HR
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Marcelo Mayer has had quite the month of August. Since being selected fourth overall in the 2021 Draft on July 11, Mayer has made his professional debut in the Florida Complex League on Aug. 5, was named MLB Pipeline’s No. 9 prospect on Aug. 17 and crushed his first pro homer on Saturday afternoon.
Mayer, who was also minted as Boston’s top prospect on Tuesday with Pipeline's midseason rankings, went 2-for-6 with a career-high four RBIs, two runs scored and a strikeout in the FCL Red Sox’s 11-5 win. The Southern California native’s first career long ball was a three-run shot to right field that came during the Red Sox seven-run fifth inning.
Through the first seven games of his career, Mayer has gone 6-for-28, hitting .214 with a double and a homer. In his pro debut on Aug. 5, he racked up three walks and has recorded two multihit games, including Saturday’s performance.
The 18-year-old ranked as MLB Pipeline’s top Draft prospect prior to becoming Boston’s highest-selected player since they took right-hander Mike Garman third overall in 1967. Mayer’s massive potential is evident when you watch his game. He has a smooth left-handed swing and should add natural power as he begins to fill out his big frame, drawing comparisons to the similarly sized Corey Seager.
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Mayer projects to be a plus defender with the tools to stick at shortstop for a long time, currently ranking as Pipeline’s No. 4 prospect at the position. He has been timed as an above average runner, owns a pair of quick hands in the field and is equipped with a strong arm. Combine all that with his 6-foot-3 length and Mayer figures to have the range that is required to be a great defensive shortstop.
Red Sox No. 27 prospect Niko Kavadas, their 11th round selection in the 2021 Draft, also swatted his first pro homer out of the cleanup spot in the FCL contest. The power-hitting first baseman was ranked as Pipeline’s No. 135 Draft prospect and has gone 4-for-14 with two doubles, a homer and six RBIs in his first five pro games.