Red Sox rookie Marcelo Mayer’s personality reminds veteran of himself at 22

BOSTON — Red Sox starter Walker Buehler is glad to have Red Sox No. 2 prospect Marcelo Mayer in the majors, although he knows the circumstance that led to Mayer’s promotion is far from ideal.

Mayer was eventually going to make his MLB debut in 2025. But his promotion got accelerated to Saturday when Alex Bregman suffered a “significant” right quad strain Friday that manager Alex Cora said will keep the star third baseman “out for a while.”

Mayer started at third base for Boston both Saturday and Sunday.

“I think he’s going to get really comfortable here really quickly, and I think we’re all looking forward to that,” Buehler said. “The cost of it right now for our team, I don’t know if that’s how anyone would have kind of drawn it up. But I think for him pressure’s probably a good thing in terms of the personality.”

The 22-year-old Mayer (the fourth overall pick in the 2021 Draft) was Boston’s highest draft selection since 1967 when it picked Mike Garman third overall.

Baseball America ranks Mayer No. 8 on its Top 100 list. The site ranks him Boston’s No. 2 prospect behind Roman Anthony who is the only member of the Big Three (Mayer, Anthony, Kristian Campbell) still in Triple-A Worcester.

“We’re waiting on the third,” Buehler said.

Buehler knows what it is like to make it to the big leagues at Mayer’s age. Buehler made his MLB debut 41 days after his 23rd birthday.

“He reminds me a lot of how I was when I was that age,” Buehler said. “And that pressure stuff I think brings out the best in you if you’re kind of built the right way. So throw him into the fire and kind of see what happens.”

Mayer recorded his first major league hit in his first at-bat Sunday. The left-handed hitter singled to the opposite field in left. He connected on a 93.5 mph fastball from Orioles starter Dean Kremer and it left his bat at 85.5 mph. His family was there cheering after not being able to get a flight to Boston for his last-minute MLB debut Saturday.

Mayer described getting his first hit as “a really cool moment.” He went 2-for-4. He also doubled (105.1 mph off the bat) in the ninth inning and scored Boston’s only run in a 5-1 loss to the Orioles.

“I’m glad I got them today,” he said. “Good to get them out of the way.”

Mayer’s parents will travel to Milwaukee to watch their son and the Red Sox play there Monday-Wednesday.

“He’s a talented player,” Buehler said. “Special kid. Really, really good brain.”