Marcelo Mayer tops Baseball America’s Red Sox prospect rankings for 2022

If Baseball America’s newest Red Sox prospect rankings accurately foreshadow what’s to come, the franchise should be very excited about the future of its infield.

The Red Sox have five prospective infielders — all within the top seven — of the team’s updated Top 10 prospect rankings for the 2022 season, which was released Wednesday morning by Baseball America. Their top three prospects could realistically represent Boston’s future infield: Shortstop Marcelo Mayer is the Red Sox’ top-ranked prospect, followed by first baseman Triston Casas and second baseman Nick Yorke.

Mayer was selected No. 4 overall by the Red Sox in July’s amateur draft, and the high school shortstop skyrocketed up the rankings to supplant Casas for the top spot. Mayer, who turns 19 in December, began his professional career in the Florida Complex League shortly after being drafted and should start the 2022 season at Single-A.

Casas experienced a breakout 2021 season that saw him help Team USA win the silver medal at the Olympics before he was promoted to Triple-A in September. The soon-to-be 22-year-old power hitter should begin 2022 in Worcester with a chance to break into the big leagues by the end of the season. Yorke, the Red Sox’ offensive minor league player of the year in 2021, jumped from No. 8 to No. 3 in the new rankings as his rapid rise continues.

The Top 5 of the rankings is rounded out by Jarren Duran at No. 4 and right-handed pitcher Bryan Bello at No. 5. Duran made his big-league debut shortly after last season’s All-Star break but the center fielder struggled both offensively and defensively in his short time in Boston before he was sent back to Worcester. He’ll likely start 2022 back in Triple-A, with some more development needed to become a consistent big-league contributor.

Jeter Downs was ranked the No. 6 prospect, and Blaze Jordan jumped to No. 7. Bryan Mata slotted in at No. 8 as he continues to rehab from Tommy John surgery that he had in April. The right-hander could return by the middle of the 2022 season.

Josh Winckowski, part of the return of last winter’s Andrew Benintendi’s trade, was ranked ninth after an impressive 2021 season in which he was promoted to Triple-A for his last two starts of the season. He produced a 3.94 ERA with 101 strikeouts to 33 walks in 112 innings between Double-A and Triple-A, and could make his major league debut in 2022.

Jay Groome rounded out the Red Sox’ Top 10. The 12th overall pick in the 2016 draft, injuries have derailed the left-handed starter’s development but he’ll look to build off a full season after being promoted to Double-A in September.