The Boston Red Sox made plenty of moves in their minor league system on May 6. Those moves included Karson Simas being promoted from Double-A to Triple-A, Allan Castro being activated in Double-A, and Justin Gonzales being promoted from the FCL to Single-A after just one game.
The Red Sox also promoted 2023 third-round pick Antonio Anderson from Single-A to High-A. The move is well deserved after his early-season work.
The switch-hitting 19-year-old struggled in 2024 in his first full season at Single-A. He slashed .186/.311/.270 with 17 doubles, one triple, and five home runs. Anderson struck out 122 times but walked an impressive 69 times. Anderson was a teenager in professional baseball struggling to hit .200, and he didn't let it destroy his approach. He was still working long at-bats and drawing walks.
Anderson's swing was encouraging as well. Salem's ballpark is not very hitter-friendly. Due to that, you never expect big home run numbers. Watching him play, it was evident that Anderson had some pop, which was being silenced by the park.
Former third-round pick Antonio Anderson promoted to High-A Greenville among flurry of Red Sox prospect moves
The Atlanta product started the 2025 season still in Single-A. It made sense, considering his struggles in 2024. However, it felt like he could play himself to Greenville rather quickly.
Anderson did just that. He's slashing .345/.436/.488 with six doubles and two home runs this season. His 18 runs are the most on the team, and his 17 RBI is one off the team lead. He's even stolen one base.
The most intriguing thing about Anderson, though, is his defensive position. He appeared in eight games defensively in 2023, all at third base. The following season, he appeared in 67 games at third base and 23 at shortstop. He's appeared 17 times at third base so far this year, and made his professional debut at first base on May 4.
The Red Sox recently ran into a problem at the major league level when Triston Casas went down for the year. It quickly highlighted how poor their depth is at the first base position.
Anderson is 19 and hasn't even played a game in High-A yet, but this transition genuinely feels like a response to Casas' injury. Anderson is young and athletic. It is a good time to transition him. By the end of the year, I wouldn't be shocked if he was considered the top first base prospect in the system.
Even after his poor 2024, I never gave up on Double-A. Anderson was the No. 29 prospect in our top 30 prospect ranking following the season, with clear room to jump up. He's made improvements and is looking like a legitimate prospect who might just be a first base option in the future, especially in a more hitter-friendly park.