On Monday night, Fenway Park witnessed a historic moment as Boston Red Sox’s top prospect, Roman Anthony, made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut. Just hours after receiving his call-up from Triple-A Worcester, the 21-year-old was slotted fifth in the batting order and stationed in right field for the Red Sox in the opener of a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays. He received a warm ovation from the crowd as he stepped to the plate for his first big-league at-bat.
Despite high expectations, the pressure of the debut appeared to weigh on Anthony. In the fifth inning, he committed a costly error that allowed the Rays to score an additional run. Specifically, when Tampa Bay’s Yandy Diaz hit a hard line drive to right field, the ball went straight to Anthony’s position. However, as he attempted to field it, the ball slipped through his glove and rolled toward Fenway’s low right-field wall.
This misplay enabled the Rays’ Brandon Lowe to score from first base, extending Tampa Bay’s lead to 3-0. Diaz also advanced to third base on Anthony’s error, though he was stranded there afterward.
Roman Anthony, selected in the second round (79th overall) of the 2022 MLB Draft, has rapidly progressed through the minor leagues. He now joins Marcelo Mayer and Kristian Campbell—two other top prospects seen as the future of the Red Sox—in the major leagues. In 58 games with Triple-A Worcester this season, Anthony batted .288, hitting 10 home runs and recording 29 RBIs, including a recent 497-foot grand slam.
Monday was undoubtedly a whirlwind for Anthony: receiving the call-up and starting a game at Fenway just hours later in rainy, windy conditions. It was a challenging “welcome to the big leagues” moment, but one he is certain to overcome as he navigates these early hurdles.