How Red Sox Top Prospects Appreciate Trust, Fast Promotions From Boston

WORCESTER, Mass. -- The Boston Red Sox made a significant move in their farm system by promoting Marcelo Mayer, Roman Anthony and Kyle Teel all together to Triple-A Worcester.

As Mayer works his way back to the field after a lower back issue, Anthony and Teel will occupy two spots in the Worcester lineup Tuesday night against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

Those two players in particular have had a whirlwind of movement over the last year. That's a result of the Red Sox showing their trust in the young talents to meet the expectations of each level of the minor leagues.

"It's great to be in an organization (that) trusts us," Anthony said at Polar Park. "For everyone, not just us. (There's) underlying metrics that people don't exactly come to the park and see on the scoreboard, which is definitely nice. We trust them completely and always know that they know what they're doing."

Anthony, Boston's 2022 second-round draft selection, started last season in Low-A Salem. Despite hitting just .228 through 42 games, the Red Sox believed Anthony could adjust to better competition and moved him up to High-A Greenville. The outfielder met the moment and found pop in his swing, posting a .981 OPS with 12 home runs in 54 games before ending the season with Double-A Portland.

"Going back to last year and going up a few levels, didn't really expect the first one," Anthony recalled. "Didn't know if the second one was going to come. It happened so fast. When you have an organization that knows what they're doing and has done everything so well, you don't really think about it because you trust them so much and you know that and know where you're supposed to be at that time."

As for Teel, the catcher is just 13 months removed from being selected at No. 14 overall in the 2023 MLB Draft. Teel moved quick as well, playing just two games in rookie ball and 14 games in High-A before joining Anthony for a two-week cup of coffee with Portland to close out the season.

"It's just trusting the process every day," Teel said. "Controlling what you can and focusing on the plan the Red Sox have for you to develop. That's with offense, defense, pitch-calling. All these systems are put in place to help us get better. It's just being bought all-in on that."

That faith paid off for the Red Sox this season with Anthony and Teel showing significant progress to earn promotions to Triple-A. Now, both hitters have chances to polish their skills with the big leagues on their horizons.