BOSTON — “Insane.”
That’s how rookie Marcelo Mayer described veteran shortstop Trevor Story’s jump throw during the sixth inning of the Red Sox’ 4-3 win over the Rays on Wednesday.
“I don’t know if you could see how fired up I was,” Mayer said. “But as like a defensive junkie myself who just loves defense, seeing plays like that arguably excite me more than a homer. So it just shows the athlete that he is.”
Story ranged deep into the hole to his right to field Junior Caminero’s 102.9 mph ground ball. He made a jump throw — from the shallow left field grass — to first base to get Caminero by a step.
Story has been an elite defender in his career, posting 79 defensive runs saved in 7,409 ⅔ innings at shortstop. But his range has been down this year. He ranks in the seventh percentile in outs above average (-4). He also had zero defensive runs saved entering Wednesday.
That said, manager Alex Cora has liked what he’s seen recently from Story.
“His defense is taking another step,” Cora said. “It seems like he feels very comfortable where he’s at, and that’s the guy we envisioned the last few years kind of like to slow down things for the defense. And this last 10 days he’s been outstanding.”
Mayer — a natural shortstop — has played well at third base in his first extended time there in pro ball. He entered Wednesday with one defensive run saved and one out above average in 96 ⅓ innings there.
“I take a lot of pride in my defense so anywhere they want me to play, I’m more than willing to do it,” Mayer said.
Cora added, “I think he can play any of the four positions, to be honest with you. I know he hasn’t played first base. But I bet if you put him there, he’ll make plays. We had a great conversation today about fundamentals and defense during BP. And I love the way he said, to be a complete player, you have to be a good defender and a good base runner. And that was like music to my ears.”