Since the start of the 2025 season, one of the biggest storylines surrounding the Red Sox has been about their top prospects. Specifically, the anticipation surrounding Marcelo Mayer and Roman Anthony. Now that Mayer has finally gotten the call and is showcasing what made him a top-tier prospect, everyone is asking – when will Roman Anthony arrive?
Anthony is still sweating it out in the minors, waiting for his opportunity. Now, with the Red Sox’s current inconsistencies and offensive holes, there’s growing concern that the organization might be treading dangerously close to a misadventure.
Holding Anthony back for too long could cost the Red Sox dearly, considering their current position in the AL East. That’s what MLB insider Ken Rosenthal believes.
“If Anthony remains at Triple A one more day, the howling of Red Sox fans on social media and talk radio would be even more justified. And frankly, after Anthony’s 497-foot slam Saturday night with a 115.6-mph exit velocity, the howling should escalate to a deafening level.” Rosenthal wrote in his column for The Athletic.
If you are not aware of the hype around Anthony, you must watch the 497-foot homer he hit on Saturday in the Triple-A. You would wonder why this guy is still not playing at Fenway Park!
Apart from Anthony’s skills and recent form, another compelling reason to bring him up to the big leagues? The Red Sox’s ongoing defensive woes. They are leading all of MLB with 54 errors.
At first glance, that might suggest a direct link to the team’s poor record in close games, but the numbers tell a more nuanced story. For starters, the Red Sox have made two or more errors in 16 games overall, going 6-10 in those matchups.
This brings us back to Roman Anthony. Yes, you can argue that he’s not a second baseman. But moving him into the outfield would allow the team to shift existing pieces around, potentially finding more stability up the middle.
Rosenthal believes Anthony’s call-up could give the lineup a spark and help plug the defensive leaks. But if not, just a few more close losses, and the fans might get too impatient. The Red Sox manager, Alex Cora, however, seems to be unmoved amid the noise.
“Obviously, there are conversations not only about him but other players. I’ve been loud and clear about this whenever I get asked on Wednesdays on the radio thing. He’s actually doing an outstanding job. Let’s be honest about that. It’s just a matter of what we’re gonna do, how we’re gonna do it, or when we’re gonna do it. And I keep getting the questions, and that’s my best answer,” he said.
Cora clearly doesn’t want to answer when Anthony is going to debut. He has got a few big names on the roster currently and he wants to back them, but with the rising defense errors, a call-up for Anthony might just be around the corner, even though Cora doesn’t want to rush it.
The Red Sox are a bit unsure about Anthony because of Kristian Campbell situation
While the calls for promoting Anthony are growing louder, Cora has the example of Kristian Campbell, who has not exactly set the stage ablaze since his promotion.
Campbell burst onto the scene this season with an electric debut that had fans and analysts buzzing. Remember how he quickly earned MLB Rookie of the Month in April and looked like a long-term fixture in the lineup?
But since May, he’s been stuck in a brutal slump, hitting just .134 over the month. Moreover, strikeouts have become a growing concern. It is now up to 31% as opposing pitchers started to exploit holes in his swing and pitch recognition.
What has made the matter worse is how the Red Sox have handled him. They have shuffled him between second base, center field, and even first base. Thus, it makes it hard for Campbell to settle into a rhythm. If you remember, he’s also bounced around the batting order. He is hitting anywhere from fifth to ninth, which hasn’t helped a young hitter trying to find his footing.
So, there’s quite a bit chatter whether a temporary return to Triple-A Worcester might help Campbell reset. Analysts and insiders are increasingly vocal about why Campbell should be demoted and Roman Anthony should be given a chance.
But Cora now knows what it means to rush with a rookie. So, it might still take him some time to opt for Anthony. Fans might have to wait!
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