Andrew Johnson

“Few teams have a better trio of prospects than the Red Sox with [Marcelo] Mayer, [Roman] Anthony, and [Kyle] Teel, all of whom are knocking on the door to the Majors in Triple-A,” wrote Jim Callis, Sam Dykstra, and Jonathan Mayo of MLB Pipeline. Jointly, they ranked the flourishing Red Sox farm system as the 7th-best in all of baseball, headlined by the WooSox triumvirate known as “The Big Three”. In their latest update, Baseball America identified Anthony as the second-best prospect in all of baseball, ahead of Mayer (11th) and Teel (26th). 

The Big Three have only just arrived in Worcester, yet fans are already salivating over what could be the next ascendant generation of Red Sox stars. They are the subjects of high expectations, seen as a rescuing cavalry of youth, vigor, and athleticism that will turn the organization around, vault Boston past the sputtering, middling records of recent past seasons, and convert melancholy to excitement by way of baseball alchemy. Their talent is unquestionable. Personnel from nearly every sector of baseball overwhelmingly agree that each of them has the capability to be an All-Star-caliber player.

Brian Abraham, the Red Sox director of player development, was able to speak to the organization’s views on Mayer, Anthony, and Teel, as well as how they collectively align with Boston’s player development philosophy. 

“It’s definitely a bit of a younger group, but they’re guys who have been part of this organization for a few years now,” Abraham noted. “In terms of work ethic, in terms of consistency, in terms of understanding what they need to do to play and perform on the field, it’s been awesome.”

He was effusive in his praise of the maturity of The Big Three, and often intentionally included WooSox slugger Kristian Campbell in the conversation. Abraham posited that this particular bunch of Red Sox prospects, which may soon be known as The Big Four, are well-suited and well-positioned for a permanent locker at Fenway Park sooner than later. 

“I think they embrace the atmosphere, embrace the region, understand what it takes to be a Boston Red Sox player, and understand what it takes to win in Boston.” 

All of this, however, is easier said than done. The probing media and zealous fanbase of the greater New England markets can create immense distress nestled within the deep desire of players – veterans and rookies alike – to succeed, which can be quite a hurdle for burgeoning prospects to overcome.

Abraham provided insight into the mindset of The Big Three in anticipation of the various stressors in the life of a rookie.  

“They all want to be really good major league players for a long time. Along with that comes expectations for themselves and pressure. But I think it’s a privilege to have pressure, in a lot of ways. I think they appreciate it and understand it, but at the same time they’re focused on what they need to do day in and day out. These guys embrace adjusting, embrace change, and embrace the challenges really well.” 

Teel was hanging around the dugout before a game in early September and offered his own commentary with respect to his acclimation to living and playing in Worcester. 

“I love this city,” Teel said. “The stadium is awesome and the fans are really, really friendly and supportive. And they bring the energy, so you love to see that.”

It was clear that his main focus is to hone his skills in preparation for his promotion to Boston, which is widely expected within the next year. 

“I want to work on my offense, defense, and baserunning, all day,” Teel explained. “I just want to get better at the game so we can win ball games in the future.” In the meantime, he is enjoying his experience in Worcester and was particularly complementary of the team culture under manager Chad Tracy. 

“All the guys are really cool,” Teel remarked, referring to his new teammates. “They like to get after it, and they like to win ball games.”

Despite his enthusiasm for his new home (and Baba Sushi, apparently), Teel was quick to mention a particular aspect of the city that he finds challenging. 

“Driving is a little wild,” he said with a laugh. “People are aggressive drivers here. You’ve got to keep your head on a swivel.” 

Keeping his head on a swivel is perhaps what Teel, a catcher, does best, but each prospect has a unique skill set with various strengths and vulnerabilities to his game. Distinctively different paths for growth are sought by each of The Big Three – or Four – in their quest for reaching the majors, though their career paths do not simply conclude and fade into the marshlands of The Fens.

“Their development will never be over until they are retired,” Abraham emphasized. “Just as they develop here in Worcester, I know they’ll develop within the clubhouse in Boston.”

Every season, every game, every at-bat, and every pitch is an opportunity for Teel, Mayer, Anthony, and Campbell to evolve into the extraordinary players that many internal and external scouts prophesize them to be. There are no guarantees in baseball, but those opportunities will almost certainly continue to expand anew at Polar Park in the spring of 2025, barring a spectacular March in Fort Myers. 

“I expect big things to come,” Abraham said, smiling. Because it is easy to smile when one has helped to construct a farm system with an incredible infrastructure and an astronomical trajectory.