Roman Anthony's Rise to Prominence: MLB Network's Top 100 Ranking Exposes High Expectations for the Red Sox Star.
Boston Red Sox phenom Roman Anthony has cemented his place among baseball's elite, ranking a respectable No. 41 on the MLB Network's top 100 players list. The 21-year-old sensation made an indelible mark in his rookie season, playing just 71 games but still managing to impress with a .292 batting average, .396 on-base percentage, and .859 OPS.
Despite only scratching the surface of his potential, Anthony has already been recognized as one of the league's top prospects. His impressive performance drew praise from MLB Network analysts, who lauded him for his exceptional talent and ability to mesh seamlessly with established players.
"Roman Anthony...is closer to No. 1 than Cody Bellinger and Byron Buxton," said Greg Amsinger in the ranking reveal. "I love Roman Anthony. Wow, what a talent. This is way too close to No. 1. I mean, way too close." However, not everyone shared this sentiment, with Steve Phillips expressing concerns about the small sample size of Anthony's rookie campaign.
Phillips noted that Anthony shares similarities with Juan Soto in terms of his on-base percentage and overall offense, but also cautioned that the young star may face challenges adapting to the pressures of being a full-time starter. Alex Avila took a more cautionary approach, pointing out that Anthony played only 71 games and that the sample size for his performance is still relatively small.
The Red Sox organization seems undaunted by these concerns, having signed Anthony to an eight-year, $130 million contract extension less than two months into his career. This investment speaks volumes about their confidence in the young star's ability to make a lasting impact on the team.
As Anthony prepares for his second season in Boston, he'll have big shoes to fill with the departure of Alex Bregman and Rafael Devers. But if anyone can rise to the challenge, it's the 21-year-old sensation who's sure to be an integral part of the Red Sox lineup.
Boston Red Sox phenom Roman Anthony has cemented his place among baseball's elite, ranking a respectable No. 41 on the MLB Network's top 100 players list. The 21-year-old sensation made an indelible mark in his rookie season, playing just 71 games but still managing to impress with a .292 batting average, .396 on-base percentage, and .859 OPS.
Despite only scratching the surface of his potential, Anthony has already been recognized as one of the league's top prospects. His impressive performance drew praise from MLB Network analysts, who lauded him for his exceptional talent and ability to mesh seamlessly with established players.
"Roman Anthony...is closer to No. 1 than Cody Bellinger and Byron Buxton," said Greg Amsinger in the ranking reveal. "I love Roman Anthony. Wow, what a talent. This is way too close to No. 1. I mean, way too close." However, not everyone shared this sentiment, with Steve Phillips expressing concerns about the small sample size of Anthony's rookie campaign.
Phillips noted that Anthony shares similarities with Juan Soto in terms of his on-base percentage and overall offense, but also cautioned that the young star may face challenges adapting to the pressures of being a full-time starter. Alex Avila took a more cautionary approach, pointing out that Anthony played only 71 games and that the sample size for his performance is still relatively small.
The Red Sox organization seems undaunted by these concerns, having signed Anthony to an eight-year, $130 million contract extension less than two months into his career. This investment speaks volumes about their confidence in the young star's ability to make a lasting impact on the team.
As Anthony prepares for his second season in Boston, he'll have big shoes to fill with the departure of Alex Bregman and Rafael Devers. But if anyone can rise to the challenge, it's the 21-year-old sensation who's sure to be an integral part of the Red Sox lineup.