Meet the 'Big 3': Boston Red Sox top prospects team up with Portland Sea Dogs
PORTLAND, Maine — As Roman Anthony searched for the right words to describe roommate Marcelo Mayer, the Portland Sea Dogs outfielder couldn’t find anything negative to say about his teammate prior to their game at Hadlock Field Friday.
“(Mayer is) a super guy to live with and he’s super clean, and he cooks, too,” Anthony said.
“Bro, he’s capping, I don’t cook,” said Mayer, who plays shortstop for the Sea Dogs. “The most I’ll cook is eggs and stuff, I tried to cook bacon, but I burnt it, so we stopped that.”
Other than swine, there isn’t much stopping the trio of Anthony, Mayer and teammate Kyle Teel — also known as the “Big 3” — this spring.
The top-three ranked prospects in the Boston Red Sox organization, according to MLB.com, are currently the talk of the town with Double-A Portland. Soon, the talented trio hopes to make their way to Triple-A Worcester.
And beyond.
“The three of us, regardless of performance, are always making sure that we hold each other accountable, and that we’re continuing to stay motivated and stay hungry so that all three of us can move up at a similar time,” Anthony said. “Obviously, we’re different in age range, but the goal is to continue to learn from each other and to push each other every day and continue to succeed and help the team win so that way we can move up together.”
Rising up the ranks
A day after collecting a double and scoring a run in the Sea Dogs’ 4-2 win over the Binghamton Rumble Ponies Sunday, Anthony celebrated his 20th birthday with a bus ride to Bridgewater, New Jersey, to set up a six-game series with the Somerset Patriots.
“What more could I ask for, right?” Anthony said.
Ironically, the same question could be posed to the Red Sox organization when it comes to Anthony, Mayer and Teel.
At least when it comes to the rise of the “Big 3” through the Sox’ farm system.
A 2022 second-round selection in the MLB Draft, Anthony overcame a slow start to his second full season of professional baseball to collect 11 hits in his last 10 games to go along with six runs and four RBIs. The center fielder currently ranks as Boston’s second-best prospect.
“(Roman) is a very mature kid. His IQ is really good for the game, he understands his approach, and just for him, it’s about continuing to be aggressive with his swing decisions in the zone and leave the waste,” Portland manager Chad Epperson said. “He’s a very talented kid, but never takes his offense out to his defense, always puts himself in a position in center field to make plays and really loves to play the game.”
After a left shoulder injury derailed Mayer’s second full season in pro ball last year, the 21-year-old shortstop is swinging a hot bat in his second stint with Portland.
The left-handed hitter, and former first-round pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, is slashing .289 with 3 homers, 23 runs and 20 RBIs. His RBI single in the fifth inning Sunday helped the Sea Dogs snap a five-game losing streak.
Mayer is the top-ranked prospect in the Sox system and 13th overall in baseball.
“Mayer, obviously, we had last year for a little bit but just never really got off (the ground) due to the shoulder,” Epperson said. “He’s healthy this year and showing a lot more bat speed. The path is better with his approach, and right now this guy is going foul pole to foul pole, and there’s some good exit velocity, some good launch angle to it, so he’s in a good spot.”
As for Teel, the 22-year-old has shot up the farm system since being picked by the Red Sox in the first round of last year’s MLB Draft.
Also known for his disc jockey skills, Teel is hitting .253 with 3 home runs, 17 runs and 14 RBIs for the Sea Dogs while throwing out four would-be base stealers. He comes in third in the MLB.com rankings of Red Sox prospects.
“Teel’s doing his thing,” Epperson said. “He grinds it out every night, he competes in the batter’s box, and he’s doing a good job, for the most part, behind the plate, running our pitchers.
“All the top three, they’re continuing to grow and get better, and (learning how to be) a professional, and understanding what they’re capable of doing and finding daily routines that are going to allow them to continue onto the big leagues.”
The new Big 3 in Boston?
When asked about the “Big 3” on Sunday, Brian Abraham let out a small laugh over the phone.
The Red Sox director of player development doesn’t usually characterize Anthony, Mayer and Teel by that moniker, but Abraham is happy to have the trio currently together with the Red Sox’ Double-A affiliate.
“I think Boston likes having nicknames like ‘The Big 3,’ ” Abraham said. “We see them all as individuals, but we’re excited for them to be together, work together and hopefully be in Boston together.”
While Chad Tracy did admit he keeps track of the progress of the “Big 3” (and more) in Portland, the Worcester Red Sox manager tries to avoid thinking about when he’ll get the opportunity to coach any of those players.
“I don’t want to get my mind on stuff (like that) because who knows when that’s going to happen, but I’m very in-tune with what’s going on there,” Tracy said. “But (Epperson) and I, for the most part right now, communicate on guys who are coming (and going).”
When it comes to the “Big 3” — they’re not focusing on where they’re going just yet.
Although they admit it would be ideal to rise through the ranks of the Red Sox farm system together, that is hardly ever the case with multiple prospects. So, the “Big 3” are enjoying the chance to push each other in Portland — while adjusting, learning and failing side by side.
“It’s super motivating to continue to play with those guys and push each other (in order) to get there together,” Anthony said.
For now, the next step in getting there would be a stop in Worcester.
But ultimately, the goal for the “Big 3” — in Anthony, Mayer and Teel — is to play for the Boston Red Sox. Together.
“Those three, they push each other,” Abraham said. “They compete against each other, they obviously want to be the best versions of themselves, and the goal is to win in Boston. It’s exciting to hear them talking about wanting to win together in a city that is built on winning championships.”
—Contact Tommy Cassell at tcassell@telegram.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @tommycassell44.