Roman Anthony Skips Bus Ride, Joins Big Leagues \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Top Red Sox prospect Roman Anthony made his MLB debut Monday night after an unexpected last-minute call-up. The 21-year-old slugger, fresh off a viral 497-foot grand slam, replaced injured outfielder Wilyer Abreu. His promotion adds excitement to a struggling Boston lineup.
Quick Looks
- Roman Anthony promoted to Red Sox after Wilyer Abreu injury.
- Was waiting for Triple-A bus before getting surprise call.
- Hit 497-foot grand slam days earlier, going viral.
- Made MLB debut Monday night vs. Tampa Bay Rays.
- Batted .288 with 10 HRs, 29 RBIs in Triple-A.
- Red Sox fans had eagerly awaited his call-up.
- Replaced Ryan Noda on the 40-man roster.
- Played right field and batted fifth at Fenway Park.
Deep Look
For Roman Anthony, the dream of playing in the major leagues didn’t begin with a viral home run or a surprise locker room meeting. It began years ago, on dusty fields and batting cages, through the grind of high school tournaments and minor league bus rides. But on Monday afternoon, the 21-year-old outfielder learned that his lifelong dream was becoming reality.
Anthony, the Red Sox’s top-rated prospect and one of the most highly anticipated call-ups in recent team memory, was sitting in the clubhouse of the Worcester Red Sox—Boston’s Triple-A affiliate—waiting for a 275-mile bus ride to Allentown, Pennsylvania. The team was scheduled to face the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Then came an unexpected announcement from manager Chad Tracy: the team’s departure was being delayed. Someone might be headed east—to Boston.
“I didn’t think anything of it at the time,” Anthony said in the Fenway Park dugout just hours before making his major league debut. “I was just in the food room, kind of waiting around, and then Coach came out and said, ‘Hey, you’re going to the big leagues.’ It’s all been a bit of a blur since then.”
That blur became a whirlwind. Anthony made quick calls to his parents, siblings, and a former coach. He grabbed what gear he had on hand—his glove, a single bat, and a borrowed pair of cleats—and hopped in a car bound for Boston, his future in the majors waiting under the lights at Fenway Park.
Anthony’s promotion came after Wilyer Abreu, a key part of Boston’s outfield rotation, was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain. Manager Alex Cora said the injury, sustained in Sunday’s game against the Yankees, would sideline Abreu for more than a couple of days. The team needed a replacement, and there was little hesitation in calling up Anthony.
“We’re trying to win ballgames,” Cora said. “And this kid has done everything to earn this opportunity. It’s a big moment for him and for us.”
Anthony, a second-round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, had been turning heads long before his arrival in Boston. In just 58 games at Triple-A Worcester, he posted a .288 batting average, 10 home runs, and 29 RBIs, consistently demonstrating a blend of patience, power, and athleticism that had scouts buzzing. But it was his recent 497-foot grand slam—the longest home run tracked this year across MLB and its affiliates—that captured national attention and made headlines beyond Red Sox Nation.
Since Statcast began tracking home runs in 2015, only five have gone farther than Anthony’s blast, including a 505-foot rocket by Nomar Mazara in 2019. Anthony’s swing, compact and explosive, has drawn comparisons to some of the game’s most polished young hitters. The viral home run lit up social media, flooded baseball highlight reels, and ignited calls from fans for his immediate promotion.
Before the grand slam, Anthony was known primarily to dedicated fans, prospect analysts, and player development insiders. But now, his name is part of daily conversations in Boston, where the Red Sox—currently sitting in fourth place in the AL East, 8.5 games behind the Yankees—are hungry for a spark.
His arrival follows recent call-ups of fellow top prospects Marcelo Mayer and Kristian Campbell, creating a wave of youthful energy in a clubhouse increasingly shaped by homegrown talent. Mayer, who made his debut two weeks earlier, welcomed Anthony with open arms.
“It’s something we’ve talked about since the minors,” Mayer said. “The fact that it’s happening now—that we’re playing together in the majors—it’s surreal. He’s got all the tools, and he’s ready.”
Anthony was immediately inserted into the starting lineup, batting fifth and playing right field Monday night against the Tampa Bay Rays. His target? Potentially joining the lore of Fenway Park by reaching the famous red seat in the right-center stands—a marker of Ted Williams’ legendary 502-foot home run, the longest ever hit at Fenway.
“I know it’s short notice,” Anthony said with a smile, “but better than being on a bus to Lehigh Valley.”
To make room for Anthony on the 40-man roster, the Red Sox designated first baseman/outfielder Ryan Noda for assignment, a signal that this isn’t just a stopgap promotion. Boston sees Anthony as a long-term cornerstone—a player who could help redefine their outfield for years to come.
His rise also represents a philosophical shift for the Red Sox organization, which has spent recent years emphasizing player development and prospect retention over splashy free-agent signings. In Anthony, they may have found the ideal combination of raw talent and refined performance.
Now the spotlight is firmly on him. Every at-bat will be dissected, every swing analyzed. But if Anthony’s journey through the minors is any indication, he’s built for the pressure.
“It’s been a dream every day just to work toward this,” he said. “Now that I’m here, I just want to help this team win.”
For Red Sox fans, Roman Anthony’s debut is more than a feel-good moment. It’s a glimpse into the franchise’s future—and a sign that the next chapter might already be unfolding.
Roman Anthony Skips Roman Anthony Skips Roman Anthony Skips
You must Register or Login to post a comment.