The Boston Red Sox have seen plenty of narratives during Spring Training, but one of the most notable has been the effort to secure an Opening Day roster spot for their top three prospects. Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell, and Marcelo Mayer, widely regarded as the future of the organization, entered camp with considerable hype. All three are ranked within the top 12 of MLB Pipeline’s top 100 prospects list for the 2025 season, making their major league debuts this summer a question of when, not if. However, while Red Sox fans are eager to see these players take the field, they received some disappointing news on Sunday when Alex Cora shed light on the decision-making process regarding their likelihood of joining the team’s trip to Texas on March 27.
Alex Cora Suggests Red Sox Top Prospects Unlikely to Make Opening Day Roster
Speaking with reporters on Sunday, Cora explained that Anthony, Campbell, and Mayer won’t be on the Opening Day roster simply for symbolic reasons. He emphasized that each of these players needs to earn their role out of Spring Training and that the team’s immediate focus is on winning games rather than solely on the prospects’ development at the major league level.
“Playing time is crucial, and so is developing players,” Cora told MLB.com’s Ian Browne. “But I believe that winning games right now takes priority.”
His comments reflect what camp has shown so far. Roman Anthony, ranked as the No. 2 prospect by MLB Pipeline, has had a solid spring with a .273/.429/.455 line, including a home run and eight RBIs in 10 games (28 plate appearances). Still, he faces stiff competition from fellow outfielders Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Wilyer Abreu, all slated for the Opening Day lineup.
Similarly, Marcelo Mayer—MLB Pipeline’s No. 12 prospect entering next season—is in a comparable situation. The 22-year-old has impressed at the plate, posting a .360/.429/.560 line with a home run and seven RBIs in 13 games (28 plate appearances), but with Trevor Story and Alex Bregman cemented as the starters on the left side of the infield, his chances are limited.
Then there’s Kristian Campbell, who ranks seventh among MLB Pipeline’s top prospects and entered camp as a candidate for the Opening Day second baseman role. However, the Grapefruit League hasn’t been kind to the 22-year-old, who is struggling with a .152/.263/.182 line in 14 games (38 plate appearances).
Although Cora acknowledged that all three have shown flashes of potential during camp, he also expressed skepticism about using a platoon system at the major league level right now.
“I think it’s fair to say there’s still room for development, but you can see progress,” Cora said. “For instance, Roman’s at-bat against a lefty was very mature, and we’ve seen similar displays throughout camp. He played some excellent outfield in Jupiter and moved well. Marcelo is doing the same, but Campbell has struggled. Not everyone will be flawless in camp—that’s part of the process.”
These remarks suggest that the Big Three might start the season in Worcester rather than Boston. However, that patience could pay off if one of them makes their major league debut this summer.
