In addition to having drafted what seems to be quite an up-and-coming baseball player, the Red Sox obviously have a natural leader in Marcelo Mayer. Mayer, 19, was Boston’s first-round pick, fourth overall, in MLB’s most recent amateur auction.
For the record, it was the first time since 1967 that the Sox had selected so early in a draft and they must still be happy to have been able to get their hands on the prospect who was ranked number one according to many – including the powerhouse of MLB, no less.
A baseball enthusiast
His coaches, current and former, will tell you of the shortstop that he is one of those young athletes who doesn’t take anything for granted, despite the new glory and the millions of dollars coming into his account. bank overnight. In this sense, Lance Zawadzki, coach in the subsidiaries of the Red Sox, is full of praise for him.
The latter supervises him in a personalized way during the off-season as a batting coach, in particular. Whether it’s nutrition, indoor training or batting practice, Zawadzki sees how rigorous the organization’s brightest prospect is.
From @jcmccaffrey, an in-depth look at Red Sox first-round pick Marcelo Mayer. His physical tools are unmistakable, but it’s his ability to lead and connect with teammates that’s made a particularly strong first impression within the organization. https://t.co/MEBRBB0sjl
— Chad Jennings (@chadjennings22) January 24, 2022
Moreover, these same coaches will also tell you how charismatic Mayer is and that his mere presence in a locker room draws his teammates towards him. He is a leader naturally with his peers.
Indeed, in its range of values, the word inclusive comes at the very top of the list. Perhaps there is a link with the fact that he is bilingual. His mother being Mexican and his father American, he made it a point at an early age to learn both languages, Spanish and English. He did well, because he sometimes acts as an interpreter between two teammates who do not speak the same language.
For example, during a visit to the mound of the receiver or the manager, to ensure that communication is carried out like clockwork and that everyone has understood the point, he is there. It’s a sign of a highly developed baseball intelligence.
Growing up around San Diego, by his own admission, he always had this knack for bringing people together. Often, he acted as a link between the other children whose language could be a barrier. It trained him to be a vector of communication, a specialist in the dynamics of the link, obviously.
Mayer is ranked the ninth-best prospect in baseball according to MLB’s 2021 list. It is undeniable that his talent will take him further than the Frontier Complex League, the league in which he played last season. It will be very interesting to follow his development when the training camps open. He embodies the future of the Red Sox.
