It’s official: The Boston Red Sox have the most promising player in Major League Baseball.
The Red Sox have spent the last five years rebuilding their farm system, particularly the outfielders, from having one of the least exciting talent pipelines in the sport to being a real killer mile today.
Now one of her crown jewels has received the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a young talent.
When Baseball America released its final season rankings for the 2024 season in early September, 20-year-old outfielder Roman Anthony was ranked second overall, its highest ranking of any talent evaluator. Thanks to his graduation, Anthony is now the undisputed leader.
In the updated BA rankings, Anthony is not only ranked No. 1, but shortstop Marcelo Mayer also made it into the top 10 at No. 10. Two other Triple-A outfielders, infielder Kristian Campbell and catcher Kyle Teel, are ranked 24th and 25th, respectively.
Anthony took the top spot because Tampa Bay Rays infielder Junior Caminero exceeded the 130-at-bat limit at the major league level, the minimum requirement to remain eligible as a junior. Other juniors who ranked first this season include Paul Skenes and Jackson Holliday.
The young star outfielder’s rise through Boston’s system has been meteoric, as he was drafted just two years ago and now finds himself on the doorstep of the big leagues, climbing from Low-A to Double-A in 2023 and then earning a promotion to Triple-A in mid-August.
In 25 games with Triple-A Worcester, Anthony has a batting average of .340/.419/.530 with three home runs, eight doubles and 25 runs scored. He’s over six years younger than the average Triple-A player, but no pitcher he’s played against seems to be able to slow him down.
The Red Sox have one of the youngest and most talented outfields in MLB, but Anthony’s potential seems higher than anyone else’s. He will make it difficult for the front office to decide whether to bring him up or send him back to the minor leagues in early 2025.
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