Sox’ future stars mix familiar, unexpected
SEATTLE — Marcelo Mayer and Nick Yorke have been playing on the same field for years. They played against each other in high school travel ball tournaments in California, and now have continued their shared path as professionals, partnering in the middle infield for Double A Portland since Mayer’s promotion from High A Greenville in late May.
Last month, Sea Dogs manager Chad Epperson called the duo into his office during a road series in Binghamton.
“Eppy was like, ‘Hey, can I have a word with you and Marcelo?’ We’re like, ‘Oh, God, what did we do?’ ” Yorke recounted.
Epperson was sharing the good news that both had been chosen to represent the Red Sox in the All-Star Futures Game in Seattle. That shared opportunity gained even more meaning when the two arrived at T-Mobile Park on Saturday for the prospect showcase and saw they were both in the starting lineup for the American League team.
Mayer was batting second and playing short, while Yorke was batting ninth and playing second.
“I was like, ‘Oh, just another Tuesday in Portland with Marcelo up the middle,’ ” laughed Yorke, who is hitting .275/.361/ .453 with nine homers in 69 games this year for Portland. “It was crazy [to see that]. Pretty cool.”
“To share this super-prestigious event with a player I’ve been playing with is super cool,” said Mayer, who is hitting .196/ .266/.402 with six homers in 29 games since being promoted to Portland. “To both be starting, playing up the middle, it’s sick.”
Mayer — who played one inning in the National League’s 5-0 win, making a nice play at short with a single and steal — acknowledged that playing in the Futures Game had been a goal from the time he was drafted.
“It’s definitely something I’ve thought about many nights, just wanting to play in this game,” said Mayer — who had a custom bat with “Seattle” emblazoned on it and custom Nike cleats. “I was able to do a little bit of everything in that short time [in the game]. I had the best of both worlds, because I was able to stand and watch, enjoy the game for the next six innings.”
For Yorke, who went 1 for 3 with a double, there was appreciation to have earned the opportunity to play in a big league ballpark, particularly given a yearlong struggle in 2022.
“That was one of the coolest baseball experiences I’ve had, for sure,” said Yorke. “I’ve never played in front of that many people before.”
Of course, it wasn’t terribly surprising that either arrived on this stage. For Mayer, taken by the Red Sox with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 draft, a spot in the All-Star Futures Game seemed an inevitability. Likewise, it was unsurprising to see Yorke — The Sox’ 2020 firstround selection — at T-Mobile Park.
But Luis Guerrero was different.
“It’s crazy, man. I feel great right now,” said Guerrero. “The Futures Game gives so much pride to me.”
It’s unlikely enough that the Dominican-born, Boston-raised 22-year-old is pursuing a professional baseball career. Because of complications from a surgery that was performed on him in his infancy, he has limited flexibility in his right knee and walks with a limp.
Nonetheless, he worked tirelessly to maximize his abilities as a pitcher, and ultimately earned an opportunity at Chipola College in Florida.
When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down his sophomore seasons, Guerrero retreated to Boston and built his arm strength working out on his own, ultimately emerging as a pitcher who could top out in the upper-90s with a devastating splitter and solid slider. That combination convinced the Sox to take Guerrero in the 17th round of the 2021 draft.
When fellow Red Sox prospect Shane Drohan was scratched from the Futures Game as a precaution due to a minor calf injury, Guerrero — currently pitching in Double A Portland – was summoned as his replacement. He was the lowest draft pick in the game this year.
“The round [where you’re drafted] is just a number,” said Guerrero, who struck out the only batter he faced while topping out at 100 miles per hour. “I’m here right now. I love it.”
For the Sox, there is significance in seeing Guerrero emerge from day three of the draft to become a potential big league contributor.
“We pride ourselves in pushing to max out the development of every guy regardless of round and money,” texted Sox director of pitching development Shawn Haviland. “Good job by scouting identifying a guy like this who was clearly undervalued with traits that we can help develop. And great job by Luis in just being relentless.”
Guerrero earned his spot on the strength of a 1.11 ERA (sixth lowest in the minors among pitchers with at least 30 innings) with 14 saves (tied for the minorleague lead) in 16 opportunities in Double A Portland.
He’s been increasingly dominant as the season has progressed, owing largely to greater usage of his offspeed stuff, subtle improvements in his slider, improved fastball location, and a splitter that’s been all but unhittable in Double A.
“The splitter right now is 100 percent,” said Guerrero. “It’s nasty.”
He’s held hitters to a .147 average and .220 slugging mark.
“You got a fastball at 99 that’s in the back of your mind and that’s not even his best pitch. Here comes the splitter and the slider. He’s an electric player for sure,” said Yorke.
For Guerrero, the experience was a career landmark.
“I felt different [on the mound]. It was crazy. There was a lot of energy with the fans,” he said. “Now, there are two more months of the season. Time to keep working.”