Boston Red Sox
Anthony finds himself within the high 50 after taking part in simply 71 video games in his rookie season.
Roman Anthony made an enduring impression on the Pink Sox group and its followers in his rookie season final yr.
The 21-year-old solely performed in 71 video games after getting known as up from Triple-A Worcester on June 9 and seeing his season lower quick by an indirect pressure on Sept. 2, however he made essentially the most of his time within the huge leagues. Anthony completed his rookie marketing campaign with a .292 batting common, .396 on-base proportion, and .859 OPS with eight house runs and 32 RBI. He additionally drew 40 walks and logged 18 doubles.
Anthony rapidly adjusted to taking part in the outfield, together with greedy Fenway Park’s distinctive proper area. The previous No. 1-ranked prospect typically appeared like a veteran on the plate and within the area, in addition to meshing with the roster from the start.
When it was all mentioned and finished, Anthony completed third in American League Rookie of the Year voting, behind unanimous winner Nick Kurtz (1B, Athletics) and second-place Jacob Wilson (SS, Athletics).
All of those components performed into the place MLB Network ranked Anthony among the many league’s high 100 gamers getting into the 2026 season: No. 41.
The teenager’s comparatively excessive rating drew a blended response from the MLB Community crew.
“Roman Anthony … is nearer to No. 1 than Cody Bellinger and Byron Buxton,” Greg Amsinger mentioned upon the rating reveal. “I really like Roman Anthony. Wow, what a expertise. That is manner too near No. 1. I imply, manner too shut.”
Longtime baseball analyst and former MLB participant and govt Steve Phillips disagreed with Amsinger, explaining that the rating is a projection of how the Community believes Anthony will carry out this upcoming season.
Even with that, Phillips felt Anthony was deserving of his placement.
“He’s in precisely the fitting spot. A part of what they’re doing is projecting, primarily based upon what they noticed, what he’ll be in 2026,” he mentioned. “He had the identical on-base proportion as Juan Soto. The beginning of his profession was similar to Juan Soto. That’s what he’s as an offensive participant, and he’s extra athletic.
“I’m telling you … this yr, he’s going to make himself within the high 20 in 2026 for the 2027 high 100. I’m telling you. This child goes to be there. That is precisely the fitting spot for him.”
Alex Avila, a former MLB catcher, sided with Amsinger, citing the truth that Anthony solely performed in 71 video games.
“Evaluating him to Juan Soto is slightly aggressive,” he mentioned. “He has that sort of expertise. … I believe the pattern measurement for the place he’s at is slightly too small. I believe he’s going to be top-of-the-line gamers within the sport.”
However, the Pink Sox had been impressed by Anthony sufficient that lower than two months into his profession, they signed him to an eight-year, $130 million contract extension.
On the listing, Anthony was ranked 5 spots greater than 3B Rafael Devers, whom Boston traded to the San Francisco Giants six days after Anthony made his debut.
In 2026, Anthony can have huge sneakers to fill in Boston. With Alex Bregman’s departure, Anthony’s title will seemingly be the one that stands proud within the beginning lineup to opponents because the man to beat. He’ll have the possibility to develop into the face of the franchise at simply 21 years previous if the roster stays as is and no different main additions are made.
Given Boston’s monetary funding in Anthony, it’s clear the group views him as a participant who ought to have a significant offensive influence for years to come back and assist lead the membership to the postseason, particularly with Bregman and Devers gone.
Anthony has totally recovered from his indirect damage final yr, but it surely stays to be seen if he shall be rusty, seeing as he missed the ultimate month of the 2025 season.
So far as the highest 100 rating goes, of the primary 59 gamers revealed, three different Pink Sox gamers have appeared on the rating. Reduction pitcher Aroldis Chapman was listed at No. 84 after being unranked final yr. New beginning pitcher addition Ranger Suarez discovered himself at No. 79 after additionally being unranked in 2025. Outfielder Jarren Duran slipped from No. 27 final yr to No. 58 this yr.
SP Garrett Crochet needs to be one other Pink Sox lock to look within the listing because the remaining 40 gamers are revealed subsequent week.
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