It’s time for Purple Sox to clear path to massive leagues for Anthony, Mayer

COMMENTARY

There’s little left for the Purple Sox’s blue-chip prospects in Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer to show within the minors. 

Each Anthony (MLB.com’s No. 1 prospect) and Mayer (No. 8) have already made compelling circumstances for a big-league call-up throughout their respective tenures with Triple-A Worcester in 2025. 

Anthony — who turned 21 final week — is batting .322 with a .450 on-base share, six dwelling runs, and 18 RBI over 42 video games with the WooSox. Coming into Wednesday, the longer term star outfielder has walked as many instances (39) as he has struck out on the plate. 

Mayer has thrived in his first look in opposition to Triple-A contest, slugging eight dwelling runs and recording 41 RBI over video games whereas taking part in sturdy protection at each shortstop and second base. 

However even with the spectacular physique of labor each Anthony and Mayer have compiled already, they’re nonetheless awaiting that decision to Fenway Park.

Talking in March, Purple Sox supervisor Alex Cora acknowledged that sturdy showings within the minors from each Anthony and Mayer have been going to “push us to make selections” as soon as the common season started. 

Requested to revisit these feedback on Wednesday, Cora acknowledged that these selections stay on standby — even because the outcomes with the massive membership proceed to slip. 

“That’s a terrific query,” Cora stated forward of Boston’s eventual 5-1 loss to the Mets.  “I perceive the place you’re coming from. We’re the place we’re at. Proper now, we’ve bought some guys right here which are taking part in nice baseball. We perceive at one level, I do consider they’re going to be a part of this. As of proper now, they haven’t made that call.”

The absence of Anthony and Mayer in Boston’s lineup has not been the only real determinant in Boston’s pedestrian 25-26 report thus far in 2025. The Purple Sox’s beginning rotation past Garrett Crochet has left rather a lot to be desired, whereas the bullpen has been vulnerable to extreme implosions at vital instances. 

However forward of a sport the place the Purple Sox might solely muster one run and whiffed 16 instances on the plate, Cora’s declaration of a number of key fixtures taking part in “nice baseball” sounds hole. 

Sure, the Purple Sox have our bodies in place who’re at the moment blocking each an infielder in Mayer and an outfielder in Anthony. 

However as uncomfortable because it is perhaps to uproot established veterans, the case needs to be made that the Purple Sox — in determined want of a spark — ought to begin shifting heaven and earth to convey their two prime younger skills as much as The Present. 

One method to reunite Anthony and Mayer with fellow basell wunderkind Kristian Campbell? 

Proceed the method of shifting Campbell over to first base, slot Ceddanne Rafaela to the infield … and take Trevor Story out of the equation. 

It’s removed from a perfect state of affairs, whether or not it includes shifting a official Gold-Glove-calibur expertise like Rafaela out of the outfield or telling a longtime chief in Story to sit down on the pine (or take into account a doable DFA). 

Nevertheless it’s onerous to disregard the numbers at this level — be it Mayer and Anthony’s manufacturing (and endurance) on the plate, or the dearth of outcomes on the big-league stage from a number of stalwarts.

Story, particularly, goes to place the Purple Sox in a troublesome spot within the coming weeks.

Nearly as good as his defensive work at quick is, his play on the plate has been a net-negative for his staff for over a month now. Over his final 25 video games, Story is batting simply 13-for-100 (.130) with one extra-base hit, six RBI, and 36 strikeouts.

Changing Story with Mayer at quick would conceivably not lead to a serious drop-off on the defensive facet of the ball and supply a better upside in the case of pop and manufacturing on the plate. 

Upside can be the secret with shifting Rafaela in an effort to accommodate Anthony. As unlucky as it might be taking Rafaela out of middle, the Purple Sox have to discover a manner so as to add an on-base machine like Anthony into their lineup. 

Will or not it’s simple to allocate common reps to each Anthony and Mayer given the present logjam in place? Nope. 

However as Boston continues to tread water in a season that opened with a lot promise, Cora and the Purple Sox are operating out of time — and excuses — to drag this staff out of an prolonged malaise. 

Let’s see what the children can do.

 

Conor Ryan is a employees author overlaying the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Purple Sox for Boston.com, a task he has held since 2023.