Roman Anthony’s Power Will Play | Double-A Best Tools
After a whirlwind 2023 season that involved reaching three full-season levels, expectations were sky-high for Red Sox outfield prospect Roman Anthony headed into 2024.
The 20-year-old started off slow at Double-A Portland. He sported a .206/.310/.329 line at the end of April.
From then on, however, Anthony has been absolutely terrific, and he’s doing so as one of the youngest players in the Eastern League.
For as strong as his surface-level stats are, Anthony’s underlying metrics are even more impressive. He does not often swing-and-miss on pitches inside the zone, nor does he chase pitches outside of the zone.
And when he does make contact, he’s hitting the ball as hard as any prospect in the minors. He has already hit a ball 116 mph and multiple balls at 112 or harder.
If there’s one critique to Anthony’s game, it’s that the lefthanded hitter can be patient to a fault. He often looks like he’s at the plate with the intent to walk, and will take hittable pitches in the heart of the zone more than most.
Despite posting above-average contact rates and being comfortable hitting when behind in the count, he will always strike out at least a moderate amount because of the number of deep counts in which he finds himself.
The Red Sox continue to trot Anthony out in center field every day at Double-A, but most evaluators believe he will eventually transition to a corner, where his solid-average speed and arm should play.
Beyond any of the other benchmarks we use to define success, Anthony has shown an incredible ability to adapt and improve with each new hurdle he encounters as a pro, a trait that should serve him well when he reaches the big leagues.
He’s on track to develop into a middle-of-the-order bat with a solid hit tool, plus on-base ability and upper-scale power.
After winning the Best Power and Most Exciting Player categories in Eastern League Best Tools voting, Anthony’s Fenway future is probably no more than a year away.
