The Red Sox have promoted pitching prospect Jacob Mayers from Low-A Salem to High-A Greenville, as was first reported by Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com.
Mayers is currently regarded by SoxProspects.com as Boston’s No. 44 prospect, ranking 19th among the organization’s pitching prospects. The 22-year-old right-hander is making his professional debut this season after being selected by the Red Sox in the ninth round (268th overall) of last summer’s draft out of Louisiana State. He received a below-slot $190,000 signing bonus.
In 15 appearances (eight starts) for Salem to begin the 2026 campaign, Mayers posted a 4.27 ERA with 64 strikeouts to 42 walks over 46 1/3 innings. Opposing Carolina League hitters slashed .175/.363/.299 in 204 plate appearances against him.
Among 75 Carolina League pitchers who entered play Friday having thrown at least 45 innings this season, Mayers ranks second in batting average against, fourth in strikeouts per nine innings (12.43), fifth in strikeout rate (31.4%) and swinging-strike rate (16.3%), 19th in groundball rate (48.9%), and 35th in ERA. On the flip side, he also ranks 70th in walks per nine (8.16) and 74th in walk rate (20.6%), according to FanGraphs.
Standing at 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds, Mayers throws from a high-three-quarters arm slot and operates with a three-pitch mix. The Louisiana-born hurler has been up to 96-97 mph with his upper-90s fastball this season after topping out at 101.8 mph with it in college. He also features an 88-91 mph slider and an 84-86 mph changeup, per his SoxProspects.com scouting report.
While Mayers — who just turned 22 last month — can miss bats at an exceptional rate, there are questions surrounding his ability to consistently throw strikes. If he can refine his command and control, he could elevate his stock even further as he looks to put the finishing touches on his first full season in pro ball.
(Picture of Jacob Mayers: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)
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