Marcelo Mayers’ Defense Compared To Gold Glover At Hot Corner

Marcelo Mayer’s solo home run during the top of the second inning ignited the Boston Red Sox’s 3-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday.

The 22-year-old rookie hasn’t looked overmatched in the big leagues since earning a promotion on May 24. And while his bat has certainly impressed in the weeks following his debut, Mayer’s defense has already received rave reviews from his manager, Alex Cora.

Although he’s primarily played shortstop since being drafted fourth overall by the organization in the first round of the 2021 draft, Mayer was thrust into the mix at third base when Alex Bregman was placed on the 60-day injured list with an oblique injury last month.

Despite limited experience manning the hot corner during his professional career, Mayer has proven to be a quick study, with 21 games at the new position.

That was evident once again in the fourth inning of Wednesday’s game when Mayer ranged toward the bag on a hard ground ball off the bat of Randy Arozarena. After fielding the ball cleanly, Mayer’s throw across the diamond hit the glove of Abraham Toro and beat the speedy Seattle outfielder by a half step.

Speaking to Mass Live’s Christopher Smith after the game, Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story compared Mayer’s defense to a 10-time Gold Glove Award winner he’s plenty familiar with.

“I was thinking it there in the last inning that his baseball clock reminds me of like Nolan Arenado,” said Story per Smith. “Getting a guy by a half step, even though he can get rid of it quick. But he just has that good baseball instinct. He’s smooth out there, making every play that you need to make — backhand, forehand, tough in-between hoppers. … It’s been fun to watch.”

Story had a front-row seat to Arenado’s wizardry at third base for five seasons when they were teammates with the Colorado Rockies between 2016 and 2020. His ringing endorsement of Mayer’s defensive chops mirrors Cora’s recent comments about how much work the talented infielder puts into his craft during pre-game drills.

Mayer will have his next chance to show off his solid defense when the Red Sox begin a three-game weekend series against the San Francisco Giants on Friday. Hunter Dobbins (4-1) will oppose Hayden Birdsong (3-1) in the series opener.