The Boston Red Sox called up 21-year-old outfielder Roman Anthony, the No. 1 overall prospect on MLBPipeline.com, from Triple-A Worcester ahead of his Major League debut on June 9. The left-handed slugger from West Palm Beach, Fla. will bat fifth and play right field in Boston’s first game of their three-game home series against the Tampa Bay Rays, Christopher Smith of MassLive reported.
Breaking: The Red Sox are calling up Roman Anthony, per source
— Christopher Smith (@SmittyOnMLB) June 9, 2025
As part of the corresponding move, Boston placed outfielder Wilyer Abreu on the 10-day injured list with a strained left oblique, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported on June 9.
Roman Anthony indeed joining Red Sox, source confirms to @TheAthletic. Batting fifth tonight. Wilyer Abreu to injured list.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) June 9, 2025
The Red Sox also selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Brian Van Belle, taking the roster spot of right-handed pitcher Robert Stock, who was designated for assignment.
Anthony was selected in the second round as the 79th overall pick of the 2022 MLB Draft by Boston after his senior year at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. He signed with the organization for an over-slot bonus of $2.5 million, forgoing his commitment to the University of Mississippi.
This season, Anthony played in 58 games with Triple-A Worcester and batted .288 across 265 plate appearances, recording 61 hits, nine doubles, two triples, 10 home runs, 29 RBI, three stolen bases, 51 walks, 56 strikeouts, and a .913 OPS.
He started 11 games in center field, 29 in left field, and 11 in right field with Worcester in the 2025 season.
Anthony was invited to spring training as a non-roster invitee on January 28. He played in 17 games during the 2025 Grapefruit League season and hit .206/.391/.324 with 34 at-bats, collecting seven hits, one double, one home run, 10 RBI, 10 walks, and 12 strikeouts before being assigned to Triple-A Worcester.
Last season, Anthony split time between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester. He played in 119 games at both levels and slashed .291 across 540 plate appearances, totaling 132 hits, 32 doubles, four triples, 18 home runs, 65 RBI, 21 stolen bases, 79 walks, 127 strikeouts, and a .894 OPS.
Across four minor league seasons, Anthony has appeared in 303 games, hitting .285 in 1,379 plate appearances, recording 323 hits, 72 doubles, 10 triples, 42 home runs, 170 RBI, 41 stolen bases, 225 walks, 310 strikeouts, and a .879 OPS.
Anthony was selected as a Baseball America High Class-A All-Star and South Atlantic League Postseason All-Star in 2023 with High-A Greenville. He was also named a MiLB.com Organization All-Star that year. In 2024, he earned Baseball America Minor League All-Star honors and was selected to the Futures Game.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora will evaluate how much playing time Anthony receives while Abreu is on the injured list. Rob Refsnyder is available as a backup, and Masataka Yoshida remains sidelined on the 60-day injured list.
Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony, left, smiles as he walks with third base coach Kyle Hudson before making his first major league start in a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park, Monday, June 9, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)
