No. 02: Red Sox outfield prospect Roman Anthony
Perhaps no prospect in baseball saw more of a rise in their stock than Roman Anthony this season. Anthony went from an intriguing prospect that had caught the eye of some Red Sox fans to a national media darling.
Suddenly, Anthony is a can't-miss prospect. Red Sox fans are drooling over him, and every baseball fan knows his name. We're seeing Anthony on everyone's top-100 list, on certain occasions, really high up on those lists.
The hype is deserved, too. Anthony did amazing things this season. He started the year as an 18-year-old in Single-A and finished the season as a barely 19-year-old in Double-A.
The surface numbers didn't look impressive for the left-handed hitting outfielder while he was in Single-A. Salem's park eats hitters whole and doesn't spit out any bones, though. And the underlying numbers (such as his exit velocity, patience at the plate, and contact rates) impressed the right people.
Anthony dominated High-A and got a somewhat surprising call-up to Double-A with two weeks left in the season. He then got 10 games with Portland and terrorized Double-A pitching.
The 19-year-old finished with a .272/.403/.466 with 27 doubles, four triples, and 14 home runs between the three levels. He drove in 64 runs, scored 78 more, and stole 16 bases in 106 games. Anthony walked 86 times compared to 119 strikeouts.
Anthony has everything. He's a good defender in the outfield with a strong arm. Despite some questions when he was drafted, it looks like he can stick in center.
The most intriguing part of his game is the plus-raw power. He showcased heaps of potential there, but the ability to get on base can't be overlooked. Not to mention, Anthony has more speed than you might realize.
The meteoric rise of Roman Anthony was incredible to watch in 2023. It adds to the overall package that he's a humble guy who loves baseball and wants to prove how good he is. Acknowledge him.
Anthony adds to the ranks of Boston's legitimate superstar-potential prospects. He'll always possess a high OBP and could hit 30-plus homers and steal around 20 bases. Even if Anthony doesn't stick in center, he'll be a solid outfielder with a good arm.
Hit: 65
Power: 70
Run: 60
Arm: 55
Field: 55
Overall: 60