Red Sox Reportedly Have 'Biggest Breakout Prospect In All Of The Minors'
The Boston Red Sox appear to have a star in the making after a season in which one of their top prospects embarked on a meteoric rise.
While it seemed impossible heading into the season, the Red Sox appear to have a prospect challenging shortstop Marcelo Mayer for the top spot in the organizational prospect rankings.
"Outfielder Roman Anthony isn’t just Boston’s breakout prospect this year, he might be the biggest breakout prospect in all of the minors," The Athletic's Keith Law wrote Monday. "Anthony went from a promising hitter who looked like he’d have a long path to the majors to reaching Double-A to end his first (full) pro season."
The 19-year-old phenom hit .272 with 45 extra-base hits including 14 home runs, 64 RBIs and a .869 OPS in 106 games between Low-A Salem, High-A Greenville and Double-A Portland.
The most encouraging aspect of his season was that he improved at each level -- .692 OPS in Low-A, .981 OPS in High-A and a 1.020 OPS in Double-A. He continued to improve despite being elevated and pushed as a teenager into the upper levels of the minors. The rising star also had 86 walks in 491 plate appearances, which is very strong for a player in the modern era of baseball.
Here is another excerpt from Law on his breakdown of Anthony:
"When people talk about pretty left-handed swings, they mean this," Law wrote. "That wouldn’t mean much without a strong eye, but Anthony has already shown excellent plate discipline and coverage for his age, including very low chase rates, especially before he gets to two strikes. I only saw three at-bats before the rains came, but I got several swings that were picture-perfect along with two hard line-drive doubles to center field.
"I bumped him up to No. 45 in my midseason ranking of the top prospects in baseball, and now that he’s had even more success and even hit well in Double-A, while still playing solid defense in center, he’s going to be even higher this offseason."
Anthony has jumped to the No. 2 prospect in the Red Sox's organization according to MLB Pipeline and SoxProspects. Anthony was ranked No. 10 by the former and No. 11 by the latter on Opening Day.
At this rate, Anthony could make his big-league debut before his 21st birthday, something few prospects accomplish.
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