Boston Red Sox
Anthony finds himself in the top 50 after playing just 71 games in his rookie season.
Roman Anthony made a lasting impression on the Red Sox organization and its fans in his rookie season last year.
The 21-year-old only played in 71 games after getting called up from Triple-A Worcester on June 9 and seeing his season cut short by an oblique strain on Sept. 2, but he made the most of his time in the big leagues. Anthony finished his rookie campaign with a .292 batting average, .396 on-base percentage, and .859 OPS with eight home runs and 32 RBI. He also drew 40 walks and logged 18 doubles.
Anthony quickly adjusted to playing the outfield, including grasping Fenway Park’s unique right field. The former No. 1-ranked prospect often looked like a veteran at the plate and in the field, as well as meshing with the roster from the beginning.
When it was all said and done, Anthony finished third in American League Rookie of the Year voting, behind unanimous winner Nick Kurtz (1B, Athletics) and second-place Jacob Wilson (SS, Athletics).
All of these factors played into where MLB Network ranked Anthony among the league’s top 100 players entering the 2026 season: No. 41.
The youngster’s relatively high ranking drew a mixed reaction from the MLB Network crew.
“Roman Anthony … is closer to No. 1 than Cody Bellinger and Byron Buxton,” Greg Amsinger said upon the ranking reveal. “I love Roman Anthony. Wow, what a talent. This is way too close to No. 1. I mean, way too close.”
Longtime baseball analyst and former MLB player and executive Steve Phillips disagreed with Amsinger, explaining that the ranking is a projection of how the Network believes Anthony will perform this upcoming season.
Even with that, Phillips felt Anthony was deserving of his placement.
“He’s in exactly the right spot. Part of what they’re doing is projecting, based upon what they saw, what he’ll be in 2026,” he said. “He had the same on-base percentage as Juan Soto. The start of his career was very similar to Juan Soto. That’s what he is as an offensive player, and he’s more athletic.
“I’m telling you … this year, he’s going to make himself in the top 20 in 2026 for the 2027 top 100. I’m telling you. This kid is going to be there. This is exactly the right spot for him.”
Alex Avila, a former MLB catcher, sided with Amsinger, citing the fact that Anthony only played in 71 games.
“Comparing him to Juan Soto is a little aggressive,” he said. “He has that type of talent. … I think the sample size for where he’s at is a little too small. I think he’s going to be one of the best players in the game.”
Nevertheless, the Red Sox were impressed by Anthony enough that less than two months into his career, they signed him to an eight-year, $130 million contract extension.
On the list, Anthony was ranked five spots higher than 3B Rafael Devers, whom Boston traded to the San Francisco Giants six days after Anthony made his debut.
In 2026, Anthony will have big shoes to fill in Boston. With Alex Bregman’s departure, Anthony’s name will likely be the one that sticks out in the starting lineup to opponents as the guy to beat. He’ll have the chance to become the face of the franchise at just 21 years old if the roster stays as is and no other major additions are made.
Given Boston’s financial investment in Anthony, it’s clear the organization views him as a player who should have a major offensive impact for years to come and help lead the club to the postseason, especially with Bregman and Devers gone.
Anthony has fully recovered from his oblique injury last year, but it remains to be seen if he will be rusty, seeing as he missed the final month of the 2025 season.
As far as the top 100 ranking goes, of the first 59 players revealed, three other Red Sox players have appeared on the ranking. Relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman was listed at No. 84 after being unranked last year. New starting pitcher addition Ranger Suarez found himself at No. 79 after also being unranked in 2025. Outfielder Jarren Duran slipped from No. 27 last year to No. 58 this year.
SP Garrett Crochet should be another Red Sox lock to appear in the list as the remaining 40 players are revealed next week.
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