MONTERREY, Mexico -- With many fans decked out in Red Sox jerseys (number 34 seemed to be a particular favorite) and a mascot wearing a giant sombrero, there was an atmosphere at Estadio Mobil Super that was intoxicating to all those in attendance on Monday night.
Salsa and American music played loudly, and walk-up songs often didn¡¯t stop until a player was already in the batters¡¯ box in the opener of a two-game exhibition series between the Red Sox and Sultanes de Monterrey, with Boston taking the first game, 10-1. Spectators belted out the lyrics to their favorite tunes and often danced as they did.
For the Red Sox, it was something different. Well, for most of the Red Sox.
For Marcelo Mayer, MLB Pipeline¡¯s No. 12 overall prospect, it was just as he expected, and that was a beautiful thing.
The Chula Vista, Calif., native grew up 10 minutes from the Mexican border, the son of two parents who were born in Mexico.
Beaming before the game about playing in Mexico for the first time, Mayer made himself at home once the festivities started. The gifted left-handed hitter belted a two-run double, added a sacrifice fly to left field that almost left the yard before capping his night with a solo homer to right-center.
When Mayer went deep, he stood and watched the ball in flight, before blowing several bubbles with his gum as he rounded the bases.
¡°It doesn't get much better than that. Especially for me,¡± Mayer said. ¡°I've never played in a big league game, so that's definitely the most fans I've played in front of. And just the environment that they brought tonight was super electric. It was a great time.¡±
For the Red Sox, it was a great time watching their No. 3 prospect rise to the moment.
"He¡¯s a good player. The more you see him, he passes the eye test,¡± said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. ¡°I had a feeling that this atmosphere, something cool was going to happen with him. He was very excited about the whole thing, and for him to put a show in front of this crowd was amazing.¡±
Of everyone in the team traveling party, Mayer was probably the most excited about making this trip.
¡°This was something that I penciled in the offseason,¡± Mayer said. ¡°I'm super glad that I was able to come. Everything about Mexico, from the people to the food, to the way that people are here, and just the culture, I love everything about it, so I'm super happy to be here.¡±
Mayer did interviews with ease in both English and Spanish, looking more comfortable than most 22-year-olds. The atmosphere lived up to the way he built it up in his mind.
How would he describe it?
¡°Latin, that's for sure,¡± said Mayer. ¡°Just a lot of energy. The fans are extremely into it. You could tell they love the game of baseball here. It was a good time.¡±
While Mayer had never attended a baseball game in Mexico before Monday night, he went to soccer games there with his friends during his youth.
¡°I know the culture. I know how the party is in Mexico,¡± Mayer said.
This was Mayer¡¯s first time in Monterrey. And he took advantage of it by resisting the temptation to sit in his air-conditioned hotel room.
¡°This morning, I got out of the hotel and explored a little bit. It was a good time,¡± Mayer said.
With the next World Baseball Classic looming in a year, Mayer left no doubt about which jersey he hopes to wear.
¡°I want to put on a Mexico [jersey]. I want to represent Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, hopefully, next year,¡± said Mayer. ¡°They had a great run last World Baseball Classic and hopefully I could be a good addition to the team and help the team win. Any chance I could get to represent this country, I'm more than happy to do it.¡±
Unlike Kristian Campbell (MLB Pipeline¡¯s No. 7 prospect), Mayer won¡¯t break camp with the Red Sox. He is currently blocked by veteran shortstop Trevor Story. However, Mayer is expected to make his debut at some point in ¡®25.
¡°I think the higher the level, the better he's going to be,¡± said Cora.