2025 In A Discarded-On-The-Dugout-Floor Nutshell
Roman Anthony spent two-plus months unnecessarily stuck in the minor leagues, two-plus months as one of the best hitters on the planet, and the most important month on the shelf with an oblique injury.
Anthony was a bit slow out of the gate in his first 15 games. Then, from June 27th until his season-ending injury on September 2nd, Anthony was, without hyperbole, one of the best hitters in Major League Baseball. Over those 56 games (248 plate appearances), Anthony had the following ranks in all of MLB:
BA: .329 (4th)
OBP: .419 (4th)
wRC+: 158 (11th)
Runs: 43 (9th)
Doubles: 16 (T-7th)
Red Sox Record: 38-20
Defensively, Anthony more than held his own, playing 36 games in right field and 19 games in left field, while DHing for 18 games. He was tied for 26th out of 118 outfielders (min: 400 Inn.) in the Defensive Runs Saved metric at +7. On Statcast, Anthony was +6 in Outs Above Average, which placed him 22nd of 145 outfielders (Min: 75 attempts).
And let’s not forget about the contract extension. It was rumored that Anthony was unlikely to talk extension, but in the first week of August, the Red Sox stepped up with a fair long-term offer. “It took a team to get this done,” said Anthony. “I couldn’t think of a better city to play in for the next eight to nine years of my life and I’m super excited.” The contract runs for eight years and $130 million, from 2026 through 2033, giving the team two years beyond where he would’ve been a free agent. They also hold a club option for $30M in 2034. There are escalators in the deal for any all-star appearances and MVP awards.
It’s the oblique injury, and only the oblique injury. The team was on a roll with Anthony settling in in the leadoff spot, and the Sox had reached a season-high 16 games over .500 at 78-62. They played .500 ball after he went out (11-11).
In a season where the three incoming prospects should have at least gotten some playoff experience, Anthony, Mayer, and Campbell got no experience combined, even in the dugout. Anthony and Mayer were rehabbing in Florida, with Campbell spending the second half of the season in the minors. It’s hard for me to believe that Anthony wouldn’t have accounted for one run in a one-run Game Two at Yankee Stadium, which could have delivered a sweep for the Red Sox in the Wild Card round.
Anthony’s injury likely hit him in the wallet as well. If he had finished in the top two of the Rookie of the Year voting, he would’ve made an additional $3M in his contract, as well as increasing the 2034 option year from $30M to $32M. Though nobody was catching Nick Kurtz, Anthony was likely passed for second in the voting by another Athletics player, Jacob Wilson. Another 22 games at the level he was playing at probably would have been enough for second.
Anthony’s home run in Yankee Stadium in the ninth inning on August 21st. The two-run shot put the game out of reach in a 6-3 victory, and the bat flip was so unexpected, yet welcome from the 21-year-old. Statcast projected the home run at 370 feet, and I’ve never heard such B.S. in my life.
Where will Anthony hit in the 2026 lineup?
Anthony sported an outrageous slash line of .336/.439/.564 (OPS: 1.003) in 31 games when hitting in the leadoff spot in 2025.
Baseball Reference
Jarren Duran has started 259 games in the leadoff spot over the past two seasons. He had a combined 13.4 bWAR and 58 stolen bases in those two seasons as well. Whether Duran is on this team next year, and what kind of additions in free agency (or trade) are brought in to this lineup, will be part of the equation as well.
It’s only a matter of time before Anthony’s power becomes a big part of his game, and he could be considered for the 2nd or 3rd spot. But for me, it’s a no-brainer that he’s the leadoff hitter against right and left-handed pitchers in 2026.
Roman Anthony will still be 21 years old on Opening Day next year. His eye at the plate, poise in big moments, and quiet confidence in the clubhouse were eye-opening this past season for a college-aged kid. In nearly every win for the Red Sox during that time, it felt like Anthony was either on base ahead of the big hit or the one delivering the big hit. While his season ended with an injury, there is no reason to think that he is an injury-prone player. Those all-star bonuses, and quite possibly an MVP bonus, will be kicking in to Anthony’s contract soon enough.
