Trevor Story: Top Red Sox prospect will be at ‘forefront’ for ‘a long time’

PORTLAND, Maine — Trevor Story received an immediate glimpse of top Red Sox prospect Marcelo Mayer’s opposite-field strength Friday.

Story, who batted second in his first rehab game for Double-A Portland, walked on seven pitches in his first plate appearance. He scored from first base when Mayer, the next hitter, crushed an RBI triple to left-center field.

Story, who underwent elbow surgery in January, went 1-for-2 with a homer, walk, two runs and three RBIs. His three-run blast gave Portland a 6-1 lead over New Hampshire in the fifth inning. He played five innings at shortstop as scheduled.

Mayer, a shortstop, played third base for the first time in his professional career. He’s 6-for-17 with two extra-base hits over a four-game hitting streak.

“The kid can swing the bat. That’s for sure,” Story said. “He’s a big kid and he’s going to be at the forefront of what we’re doing for a long time. I think he’s got that kind of personality. He believes in himself that way. I was excited to see him and he showed out tonight.”

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The Red Sox drafted the 20-year-old Mayer fourth overall in 2021. Baseball America ranks him No. 7 on its Top 100 list.

Red Sox front office members have often talked about Mayer’s leadership skills. Manager Alex Cora also recently mentioned how Mayer’s ability to speak both English and Spanish will help him lead.

Story will serve as the DH for Portland on Saturday, then play shortstop again Sunday.

“He’s here for three days so I’m going to do whatever I can to pick his brain,” Mayer said before Friday’s game. “I think I was in middle school when he was hitting bombs at Coors Field. Just the amount of games he’s played more than me, the amount of experience he has that I don’t, I’m looking forward to just seeing how he works, talking to him, soaking it all in and seeing how he handles his business.”

“We’ve talked back and forth a little bit,” Story said about Mayer. “We haven’t sat down. I had a lot more time with Mikey and some one-on-one time. So looking to get that tomorrow (Saturday) just to get to know him a little bit better because like I said, I know he’s going to be around for a long time and playing well.”

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Story has 69 defensive runs saved in 6,304 ⅔ innings at shortstop in his career. Baseball America, meanwhile, grades both Mayer’s shortstop defense and arm 60 (plus) on the 20-80 grading scale. And so he also has a chance to be an elite major league shortstop.

Story and Mayer could become Boston’s longterm double play combination. Story always could move back to second base — where he played in 2022 — when Mayer is ready for the big leagues.

Friday’s Portland-New Hampshire game was suspended because of rain in the ninth inning with the score tied 6-6. It will resume Saturday.