San Diego Swing: #4 Marcelo Mayer

Marcelo Mayer is about as surefire of a first round draft pick as there was in the 2021 MLB Draft. The Eastlake shortstop has been on scouting radars for quite some time. During the 2019 season, he started at shortstop over 13th overall pick Keoni Cavaco helping put the spotlight on him early in his high school career. Professional scouting attention and hype for the sweet swinging shortstop rivals that of Stephen Strasburg in 2009 at San Diego State, Kris Bryant in 2013 at the University of San Diego and Mickey Moniak in 2016 at La Costa Canyon High School.

Mayer’s natural feel for hitting and advanced approach at the plate projects well at the major league level. The sweet swinging left-hander has drawn hitting comparisons to Corey Seager and Christian Yelich while defensively to Brandon Crawford. The power is real, as seen throughout the season with 14 total homeruns and already present big league batting practice power. His ability to handle the fastball and ability to adjust with increased velocity will quicken his climb through the minor leagues. He showed well versus Carson Williams early in the season where he was early on a 94 mph fastball inside for a hard hit groundball to first base. 

Mayer has struggled at times with breaking balls, showing there is an effective and consistent way to get him out at this time, something that will have to be worked on in professional baseball. The sub 400 average for a top 5 high school pick is also a unique number when compared to previous top 5 high school draftees. The swing in its entirety shows all the right indications and projectability of current big leaguers at his age. 

Defensively Mayer fields with ease, known for making tough plays look easy and showing great instincts at the position. Arm strength is there but not at the level with elite left side major leaguers. Not a burner on the bases but has a good first step and will not hurt a team with his speed. Mayer’s likely average to hopeful above-average run and field tools make him a candidate to be moved around the infield down the line. Mayer looks comfortable at shortstop and will get plenty of opportunity in the Boston system to stick at short. 

Congratulations to Marcelo, the Mayer Family and Eastlake baseball. 

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