After months of anticipation, the wait is over. The Boston Red Sox officially called up their No. 1 prospect, Roman Anthony, on Monday morning, giving the 21-year-old outfielder his shot in the big leagues. The highly touted slugger debuted at Fenway Park against the Tampa Bay Rays in a game that carried not only playoff implications but also the hopes of a fan base eager to see the next generation take charge.
Former Top Prospect Speaks Up on the News
Anthony’s call-up sparked buzz across the baseball world, including from fellow top prospect and friend Jackson Holliday, who posted just one word on Instagram in response to the news: “Finally.”
That single word summed up what many around the game had been thinking. Anthony’s powerful performance in Triple-A Worcester — a .288 batting average, .423 on-base percentage, 10 home runs, and 51 walks in 58 games — made it clear he was more than ready. His titanic 497-foot grand slam just days earlier may have been the final push Boston’s front office needed.
With the Red Sox sitting at 32-25 and searching for consistency, Anthony’s arrival was timed perfectly. The team is counting on young talent to inject new energy into the lineup as stars like Rafael Devers face position uncertainty and the pitching staff battles inconsistency. Alongside recent call-ups Marcelo Mayer and Kristian Campbell, Anthony is now at the forefront of Boston’s youth movement.
Not the Fairy Tale Debut Roman Anthony Wanted
His debut, though, was a reminder that transitions to the majors aren’t always seamless. Batting fifth and starting in right field, Anthony was greeted with the loudest ovation during pregame introductions and a standing cheer in his first at-bat. While he didn’t record his first hit, he showed flashes of why he’s so highly regarded.
The third inning saw a moment of misfortune when he blistered a 111-mph liner off pitcher Shane Baz, a potential single, that deflected to third for an out. He later struck out looking in a key moment with runners on and drew a walk in the seventh. In the ninth, he drove in his first MLB run with a hard groundout.
Defensively, Anthony handled a couple of routine plays but committed a costly error in the fifth, allowing a ball to slip under his glove and leading to an unearned run.
Tough one for Roman Anthony here pic.twitter.com/41btEvhB5E
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 10, 2025
Though it wasn’t the debut he may have dreamed of, Anthony’s presence was felt. He showed plate discipline, exit velocity, and maturity beyond his years. As Jackson Holliday said, and the Red Sox now hope to see proven true, finally might just mean the beginning of something special.