Red Sox Stud Named 2026 Breakout Candidate By MLB Insider

The 2026 season can’t come soon enough for Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony.

Formerly the top prospect in the organization, Anthony made his MLB debut in June 2025 and was well on his way to cementing himself as a core player for a playoff-contending club when he landed on the injured list and missed the last month of the regular season.

The Red Sox have great expectations for the 21-year-old and so does MLB.com’s Ian Browne, who named Anthony his breakout candidate for the Red Sox.

“Last year’s rookie season, shortened because he wasn’t called up until June and then sustained a season-ending oblique injury on Sept. 2, was just a start,” Browne wrote.

“Over a full, 162-game season, Anthony has all the tools and maturity to turn into an elite player. He is a left-handed hitter who has no problem hitting against lefties. He has a perfect blend of patience and power at the plate,” Browne added.

“Just how much power Anthony grows into in his first full season will determine his level of impact. Defensively, he can play an above average left and right field,” Browne concluded.

Anthony played in 71 games last season, hitting .292 with eight home runs and 32 RBIs. He displayed a keen eye at the plate, with an on-base percentage of .393 after walking 40 times.

Despite the injury, Anthony flashed his potential with an .859 OPS and 3.1 WAR. As a result, he finished third in voting for the American League Rookie of the Year, trailing Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz and A’s shortstop Jacob Wilson.

Red Sox management believes in Anthony so much that the club gave him an eight-year, $130 million contract extension in August, just two months after making his MLB debut.