The Boston Red Sox have officially promoted outfielder Roman Anthony to the major league team, announcing the move on Monday. In his major league debut, Anthony was placed in the starting lineup against the Tampa Bay Rays.
He batted fifth and played right field. This promotion comes after Wilyer Abreu was placed on the injured list due to an oblique strain.
Anthony’s Debut Performance
In the Red Sox’s 10-8 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, a game that went into extra innings, Anthony had a mixed debut. He went 0-for-4 at the plate with a walk and a strikeout. He was later substituted for pinch-hitter Rob Refsnyder in the bottom of the 11th inning.
Despite his hitless game, Anthony showed some power with a 111.2 mph line drive off of Shane Baz, although the ball was caught for an out. On a positive note, Anthony earned his first career RBI with a ground-out in the ninth inning. However, he did leave four runners on base, which was a significant missed opportunity for the team.
Fielding Error in Key Moment
Defensively, Anthony’s debut had a rough moment. In the fifth inning, he made a critical error that played a part in the Red Sox’s loss. Fielding mistakes like this are part of the learning process for young players, and Anthony will need to sharpen his skills as he gains more experience at the major league level.
Anthony’s Impressive Minor League Performance
Roman Anthony, just 21 years old, was highly regarded coming into this season, ranking as the No. 1 prospect in the minors by CBS Sports. His performance in Triple-A this year has been outstanding, with a .288 batting average, .423 on-base percentage, and .491 slugging percentage across 58 games.
He also hit 10 home runs and stole three bases. Notably, Anthony has shown exceptional patience at the plate, recording nearly as many walks as strikeouts (51 walks to 56 strikeouts). His strong performance in Triple-A made it clear that he was ready for a shot in the majors.
Why Was Anthony Not Called Up Sooner?
Despite his impressive Triple-A numbers, the Red Sox have been cautious with Anthony’s promotion. One of the main reasons is the team’s reluctance to play him at first base, which would have created a clearer path to the big leagues.
With Rafael Devers secured as the designated hitter and both Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu performing well in the outfield, there hasn’t been a clear opening for Anthony.
While there has been talk of moving Anthony to center field, Ceddanne Rafaela’s elite defense in that position has made that transition more difficult.
Anthony’s path to a full-time role in the majors is not guaranteed yet, but it seems likely that at some point, the Red Sox will look for a way to better utilize their roster. If this happens, Anthony may be moved to first base or another position to carve out his place on the team.
Wilyer Abreu’s Injury and Its Impact
Wilyer Abreu, who was performing well before his injury, had a strong .245 batting average with 13 home runs and four stolen bases in 64 games this season. He also posted an impressive 118 OPS+ and contributed 1.7 Wins Above Replacement (WAR).
However, the injury leaves a gap in the Red Sox lineup, and there is no specific timeline for his return. Oblique strains tend to keep players out for an average of five weeks, though recovery times can vary.
The team will need to adjust in Abreu’s absence, and this could provide more opportunities for Anthony to play and prove himself.
Roman Anthony’s promotion to the major leagues marks an exciting step in his career, but it’s clear that he has a lot to learn. His debut against the Rays was a mix of good and bad, with a fielding error and missed chances at the plate, but also flashes of his impressive potential.
His minor league stats have been fantastic, and the Red Sox will be hoping he can find his footing in the majors soon. As the team navigates Abreu’s injury, Anthony may get more opportunities to prove he belongs at the highest level of baseball.
