Roman Anthony was just one year removed from high school ball in 2023 when he advanced all the way to Double-A Portland after beginning the season at Low-A Salem.
The Red Sox center fielder prospect recorded an outstanding 17.5% walk percentage and .403 on-base percentage in 106 games (491 plate appearances) in his first full season of pro ball. Only two major leaguers — Juan Soto (18.6%) and Kyle Schwarber (17.5%) — had walk rates that high. Obviously it’s much more difficult to sustain that type of walk percentage in the big leagues but it shows the type of strike zone discipline Anthony had as just a 19-year-old playing against much older competition. He was more than three years younger than the average player at High A and more than four and a half years younger than the average Double-A player.
Anthony ranks No. 1 on MassLive’s Top 25 Red Sox prospect list because of his advanced strike zone discipline and how hard he hit the ball to all fields in ‘23. He had a .565 slugging percentage (13 homers, 18 doubles, three triples) in 289 plate appearances between High-A Greenville and Portland.
“Future dangerous pop inside the park and out of the park,” an MLB scout said.
Anthony barely beat out 21-year-old shortstop Marcelo Mayer for the top spot. Mayer is ranked No. 2. A strong argument could be made for either Anthony or Mayer who struggled at Portland in ‘23 but also dealt with a shoulder impingement that shortened his season. Mayer controls the strike zone as well. He has walked in 13% of his 889 plate appearances in the minors.
strong argumAnthony barely beat out 21-year-old shortstop Marcelo Mayer for the top spot. Mayer is ranked No. 2. Aent could be made for either Anthony or Mayer who struggled at Portland in ‘23 but also dealt with a shoulder impingement that shortened his season. Mayer controls the strike zone as well. He has walked in 13% of his 889 plate appearances in the minors.
