Top Red Sox prospects to watch at Spring Breakout.
This story is an excerpt from Ian Browne’s Red Sox Beat newsletter. To read the entire newsletter, click here. Also, subscribe to receive it delivered to your inbox on a regular schedule.
For those who enjoy following prospects, particularly Red Sox prospects, the big day is almost here.
On Saturday at 1:05 p.m. ET at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Fla., the Red Sox will field a squad of their top farm players against the Atlanta Braves’ top prospects.
• FAQ: Braves-Red Sox Spring Breakout.
It is part of the inaugural Spring Breakout event, which will feature a series of 16 exhibition games between teams made up of the top prospects from each MLB organisation, establishing a new milestone on the baseball calendar that celebrates the sport’s emerging potential.
Here are eight players to keep an eye out for on Saturday in a game broadcast on the following platforms: MLB Network, MLB Digital (MLB.TV, MLB.com, MLB App), NESN, Red Sox Radio Network, SXM App, ESPN+, and Gameday.
The rankings in brackets show where MLB Pipeline ranks each player in the Boston farm system.
Marcelo Mayer (#1)
The excitement surrounding Mayer began the moment the Red Sox selected him with the fourth overall pick in the 2021 draft. Mayer was the highest-rated position player entering the Draft, so it was surprising that the shortstop ended chosen in Boston. However, injuries slowed Mayer’s development throughout the last two seasons. The good news is that he’ll be healthy in 2024, and Spring Breakout will provide an excellent opportunity for the left-handed hitter to demonstrate his abilities.
The 19-year-old centre fielder drew attention earlier in Spring Training when the Red Sox called him up from Minor League camp to make a few starts. It’s difficult to think Anthony graduated from high school less than two years ago. By the end of last season, he had already advanced to Double-A Portland, and he appears to be physically mature. The left-handed batter with a beautiful swing and a slick glove is excited to showcase his diverse abilities on Saturday.