On Monday night, baseball fans were treated to a historic night at Fenway Park as it was the first time ever a number one prospect debuted at Fenway Park. Roman Anthony, MLB’s #1 overall prospect was officially called up by Boston and took the field in his major league debut. The game ended in an 11 inning 10-8 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, which gave the 21 year old a bittersweet introduction to “The Show”.
In his debut, Anthony played right field and batted fifth in the lineup. He received a standing ovation from the Fenway way crowd as he stepped to the plate in the second inning. Although he went 0-for-4 with a strikeout, a walk, and an RBI groundout, the lefty demonstrated poise and composure in his first game in the big leagues.
Anthony was Drafted 79th overall by the Red Sox in the 2022 MLB draft out of Marjory Stoneman High School. Anthony is being labeled as one of the most exciting prospects in baseball right now due to his outstanding power, strong plate discipline, and ability to hit for both average and power. He also has solid speed, arm strength and defensive potential.
Anthony’s rapid progression through the minor leagues is a sign of his talent and potential. Anthony batted with an average of 288 with ten home runs, 29 RBI’s and 61 hits with 212 at bats. Anthony was called up just two days after hitting a 497 foot grand slam, the longest home run recorded in both the major and minor leagues this year. His promotion came after outfielder Wilyer Abreu was placed on the IL.
“Yeah, they’re excited,” Red Sox Manager Alex Cora said on MLB.com after the game. “They’re excited for the kid, excited for the club. And we just got to go out there and play baseball.”
Despite the loss, Anthony’s debut was a bright spot, showcasing the future of the franchise. Anthony’s call up marks the beginning of what many hope will be a long and successful career in Boston. With his impressive minor league performance and the support of Red Sox fans, Anthony is poised to make a significant impact in the majors. The Red Sox organization and their fans are eagerly waiting to see what the future holds for this promising young talent. He joins fellow top prospects Kristian Campell and Marcelo Mayer on the Red Sox roster, signaling a new era for the team.
