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Physical Description: Tall,
projectable frame. Looks the part. Has added considerable
strength to his frame, but still has room to support even more
added muscle as he physically matures.
Hit:
Starts open with his hands high. Uses an abbreviated leg kick
that he gets down early. Good separation in his swing. Smooth,
uppercut bat path with a two-hand finish. Good bat speed. Makes
very hard contact. Utilizes his lower half efficiently and
really rotates through the hips. Hits velocity well, but has
struggled with breaking balls at times. Some teams have thrown
him nothing but breaking balls and he has shown swing-and-miss
when pitched that way. Otherwise has shown a very strong feel
for contact. Advanced approach for his age. Very patient and
sees a lot of pitches. Makes consistent contact in the zone and
rarely expands on pitches out of the zone. Needs to show more
consistent contact ability against left-handed pitchers.
Potential above-average hit tool.
Power:
Plus-plus raw power. Has a swing designed to drive the ball with
loft and backspin and has shown the ability to hit the ball
400-plus feet with remarkable ease. Power plays to all fields.
Plus-to-better in-game power potential.
Run:
Average speed. Likely to lose speed as he physically matures.
Defense: Strong defensive instincts make up
for only average foot speed. Takes efficient routes when moving
laterally, but on occasion will be a step slow reading balls
over his head. Has primarily played center field, but started
playing corner outfield more often in July 2024. Profiles best
in the corner outfield long-term, but could play center at least
at the beginning of his major league career if needed. Potential
above-average defensive profile in the corner and average in
center field.
Arm: Above-average arm
strength. Not a stand-out arm, but plenty for any outfield spot. |
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Career
Notes: Attended the same high school as Anthony
Rizzo, Jesus Luzardo and Coby Mayo. Was committed to Ole Miss
before signing. Named Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior
and his school won back-to-back state titles to end his high
school career. Received the largest bonus in the Red Sox 2022
draft class. Was promoted very aggressively in 2023, advancing
to Double-A in his first pro season. Promotion from Salem in
June 2023 came despite relatively poor traditional statistics,
but extremely impressive underlying metrics such as his hard-hit
rate, contact rate, and swing decisions. Had a meteoric rise in
2023 that led to his being ranked as a consensus top 25 prospect
in the game. Ascended to the top ranking in the SoxProspects.com
rankings in November 2023, becoming part of the “Big 3” top
prospects in the system along with Marcelo Mayer and Kyle Teel.
Started in 2024 Spring Breakout game. Participated in the Red
Sox Rookie Development Programs in January 2024 and January
2025. Continued his ascent with another strong season in 2024
that culminated with his being ranked as the game’s consensus
top prospect entering the 2025 season outside of former Japanese
professional Roki Sasaki. Had an impressive showing as a
non-roster invitee to major league Spring Training in 2025.
Started in 2025 Spring Breakout game, hitting a monstrous home
run in the game.
Summation: Potential
impact everyday player. Ceiling of a consistent all-star. Key to
reaching his ceiling will be showing he can consistently make
contact against advanced pitching, especially left-handers. How
his hit tool develops will determine how much of his power
potential actualizes, but has the chance to consistently hit
30-plus homers a year. Power is a carrying tool that takes
pressure off his defense, as he has the offensive profile to
hold down a premium lineup spot playing anywhere in the
outfield. Has consistently shown he can handle aggressive
assignments even at a young age. Carries himself with a quiet
confidence and is not shaken in big moments. Popular with
teammates in the clubhouse. Exciting prospect with one of the
highest ceilings in the game.
Links
Red Sox select Roman Anthony with second-round compensation pick (7.17.22)
Countdown to Spring Training (3.9.2023)
Spring Training
Video (3.19.2023)
Spring Training
BP Video (3.22.2023)
Notes from the Field (3.18.2025) |
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