It began with a whisper, frustration sparkling just beneath the surface. A bullpen that looked aggressive and promising just a month ago now gazes down a familiar storyline: Blown leads, one-run heartbreakers, and a batting order that just would not wake up. Fans are not just upset, they are restless.
And nervousness has a way of turning into fury when silence is extended too long. And lately, the limelight has started to shift toward Craig Breslow, the man behind pulling the levers. Questions are mounting, not just about the roster, but related to one move he has not made – not utilizing the power of the No. 1 prospect. And Red Sox Nation is not patient anymore.
A host on The Greg Hill Show asked a straightforward question to Craig Breslow: “What is the timeline on his potential call-up and why have you been hesitant to do that?” The “he” in question is the team’s top prospect, setting Worcester on fire – Roman Anthony. And the timing could not have been more appropriate: Multiple losses and a record of 27-31, repeated late-game collapses, and a team gasping for energy.
Well, Breslow did not dodge anything. But he sure did not ease into the frustration either. “It is a fair question,” he admitted, before initiating a long explanation. As per him, Roman Anthony still has some “development opportunities,” from getting reps in left field, to working through timing at the plate, to recuperating from a shoulder issue. On paper, sure, that sounds reasonable. But then again, the statistics scream a different story.
Anthony’s posting a .318 average with a .978 OPS in Triple-A. Development? Or delay?
Craig Breslow got pushed a little bit on @TheGregHillShow to explain why the Red Sox haven’t called Roman Anthony up yet:
“We want to make sure when he comes up not only is he ready but there’s runway for him to play. You don’t wanna bring up a 21 year old and have him play… pic.twitter.com/DkC0pl5BlR
— Gordo (@BOSSportsGordo) May 29, 2025
The annoyance hit its peak when the host fired back with an absolute comparison: “Christian Campbell was not in a good spot. He had an awful throw yesterday that cost you the game. But he is here because you need him.” That, there, is the disconnect. The front office is comfortable with struggling fill-ins because of roster requirements, but holds back a red-hot candidate out of caution. Where is the urgency that Breslow and Alex Cora keep preaching!
Breslow closed his statement by declaring Anthony’s “time is coming” and that they are just trying to find the right “runway” to play him every day. That sounds nice, but in reality, Red Sox Nation is no longer pursuing the wait-and-see approach. They want urgency. They want accountability. And above all, they want the front office to stop overthinking and start acting like wins matter.
Fans erupt as patience wears thin over inaction
The call for roster flexibility is not coming from nowhere. One fan said, “If that’s the reason, then it is easy peasy, move Rafaela out of the OF.” A fair argument. Ceddanne Rafaela has shown versatility and played in two vital positions, infield and outfield. However, the star’s offensive production is inconsistent. With a .232 average and an OPS of .639 this season, it is tough to argue that there is no room for adjustment. Such a sentiment highlights growing frustration with the idea that powerful clutter is blocking a red-hot Roman Anthony from getting a shot.
This irritation only intensifies when fans zoom out and look at management. “Has to be the worst GM in Red Sox history,” one comment read. While that could be a stretch, as Breslow has not completed 2 full seasons yet, thoughts are flaring as the team has highlighted very bad performance. The 2025 Red Sox, with their 27 wins and 30 losses, continuous fights of attrition, and square pegs pounded into gaps all over the roster, are not escaping this malaise. Critics highlight a failure to act during a clear offensive drought, in which Breslow’s insistence on “development windows” looks tone-deaf to the moment.
Another fan jabbed at the tone of Breslow’s review. “He is talking like the Red Sox are in first place with 15 games above 2nd place. With a super team with no space for him.” Such sarcasm hits deep. The team is currently in fourth place in the AL East with no sign of a deep roster. For instance, Darren Hartwell of Yahoo Sports has highlighted some alarming stats to show how the team is losing on the margins this season. The Red Sox rank 28th in strikeouts with a total of 509. Defensively, the situation is just as troubling, with the team committing 43 errors, highlighting a lack of reliability in the field. Yet the management seems to speak as if the Red Sox are in a luxury place, carefully curating star roles on a contender. Then the loss of Bregman to a severe right quad injury only makes the team’s offensive woes more dire. Without him, Devers has limited protection in the lineup.
So, the lineup, too, has become a lightning rod. “As if the Red Sox have a good lineup now” sums the sentiment quite well. And the numbers back it. In multiple ways, the Red Sox are just as uncomfortable as the Mets. Cora’s team has lost five straight, sits four games under .500, is 9 1/2 games behind the first-place Yankees, and is 4 1/2 games out of the final Wild Card spot. As per Fangraphs, the team’s chances of making the postseason are 18.3 percent. The frustration seems justified!
Then there is the obvious fix, as a fan pointed out, “Take Story or Campbell out of the lineup. Really simple stuff.” With Story’s struggles at the plate with a .217 batting average and Campbell’s shaky defense and his .231 average, it does not inspire much confidence. Fans see a team fighting to compete and a highly-touted star lighting it up in Triple-A. With Roman Anthony slashing .318/.450/.528 with an enhanced walk rate, the outcry is not just feeling full—it is evidence-based. When outcomes look clear and the team stalls, frustration naturally boils over.
The tension in the team is not just related to losses—it is related to missed scopes. Craig Breslow could have his reasons, however, the Red Sox fans have their limits. Roman Anthony’s bat is asking for a scope, and if the team does not act quickly, the noise from the fans will only get louder. Stay tuned because this story is far from over.
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The post Craig Breslow’s Strange Response to Delaying No.1 Prospect’s MLB Call Up Triggers Red Sox Nation Fury appeared first on EssentiallySports.