Boston Red Sox
“Whether or not it’s Joe DiMaggio or Ted Williams or Derek Jeter or Large Papi, there are some people who simply have the ‘It Issue.'”
Roman Anthony solely has 71 video games of big-league expertise below his belt.
However the Purple Sox outfielder and ascending star continues to place himself on the map with Workforce USA through the 2026 World Baseball Traditional.
Anthony rose to the event for Workforce USA throughout Sunday’s semifinal bout in opposition to the Dominican Republic — clubbing the eventual game-winning solo shot within the prime of the fourth inning to raise the People to a 2-1 victory.
“After I hit it, I sort of simply blacked out,” Anthony told FOX Sports’ Kevin Burkhardt, Derek Jeter, David Ortiz and Alex Rodriguez during Sunday’s postgame broadcast. “I used to be, in my head, [saying], ‘Simply please go, please go.’”
Anthony’s house run proved to be all that the U.S. wanted, as Workforce USA’s pitching workers restricted the Dominican Republic to only one run off of eight complete hits — quieting a potent lineup that included star sluggers like Fernando Tatis Jr., Juan Soto, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Manny Machado, and others.
A late addition to Workforce USA’s World Baseball Traditional roster, Anthony has confirmed his worth on quite a few events to this point through the worldwide event.
By means of six video games to this point, the 21-year-old outfielder is batting .318 with two house runs and 7 RBI whereas sporting a 1.014 OPS.
Regardless of his lack of MLB reps, Anthony has made fairly the impression — particularly within the eyes of a number of the recreation’s greats.
“Whenever you see a child like that, whether or not it’s Joe DiMaggio or Ted Williams or Derek Jeter or Large Papi, there are some people who simply have the ‘It Issue’,” Rodriguez mentioned after Workforce USA’s win. “That child has the appears, the humility, the scale, the ability. … He’s very particular.”
“I’ve bought to let you know, that child is a pupil of the sport,” Ortiz added. “We’re so proud to have him in our group, and it’s as a result of he does nothing however get higher and higher and higher. This can be a child who got here into the league final yr, he bought injured, and watching his crew through the playoffs, and never with the ability to carry out and be with them? That was killing him. I can see it in his face. Glad that he’s wholesome this yr. He placed on a present tonight.”
Anthony has justified the hype during the last yr since elevating his inventory as one of many prime blue-chip prospects in baseball.
His call-up in June helped spark a mid-season surge for the Purple Sox, with the poised slugger batting .292 with eight house runs, 32 RBI, and posting an .859 OPS over his 71 video games earlier than an indirect pressure prematurely ended his rookie marketing campaign.
Now wholesome, Anthony is anticipated to be a key conduit for the 2026 Purple Sox in his first full season within the huge leagues. He’s already showcasing that expertise throughout this event for Workforce USA.
“Some guys have been asking me about you as a participant, and I informed them that you’re the entire package deal,” Ortiz informed Anthony postgame. “You’re a nice athlete, good listener, your work ethic is at one other stage.”
Anthony’s poise as he navigates his first years within the majors can also be not misplaced on his U.S. teammates — together with seasoned veterans like Aaron Choose and Bryce Harper.
“He’s a stud. He’s a lot enjoyable to observe play,” Harper told The Boston Globe’s Tim Healey of Anthony’s method. “This recreation is in such an ideal place with younger guys, with so many guys that love the sport of baseball. He performs on such a big-market crew in Boston. So to have the ability to have the success in his profession this early, it’s been plenty of enjoyable to observe.
“I can’t say sufficient about him. He works exhausting, does every thing the appropriate method. He’s been a professional. It’s been plenty of enjoyable to observe and play with him.”
Anthony was not the one Purple Sox participant to step up for the U.S. on Sunday. Reliever Garrett Whitlock delivered within the eighth inning of a one-run recreation — retiring the aspect so as (together with two strikeouts) whereas matched up in opposition to Soto, Guerrero, and Machado.
Anthony, Whitlock, and Workforce USA will look to take house a WBC title on Tuesday, as they are going to tackle the winner of Monday’s different semifinal matchup between Venezuela and Italy.
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