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As Red Sox fans cope with the shocking Rafael Devers trade, their best hope for a silver lining this season may be a 21-year-old the team sees as its next homegrown star. Why it matters: Roman Anthony, considered the best prospect in baseball, debuted with the major league team this month — days before Devers, the team's star slugger, was sent to San Francisco. - Already a cornerstone of the franchise's future, Anthony will now be crucial to its present as the Sox fight for a spot in the postseason.
Meet Roman: A native of West Palm Beach, Anthony won top statewide honors in Florida as a high-schooler before playing college ball at Ole Miss. Zoom in: Anthony is 6-foot-3, bats left-handed and is lauded by scouts for his quick swing, strong decision-making and potential to be a premium power hitter. - His sky-high slugging upside was on display June 7, when he hit a 497-foot grand slam for Triple-A Worcester — the longest home run at any level this season.
The latest: Anthony hit his first homer with the major league squad last week, becoming the youngest Red Sox player to do so since Devers in 2017, per MLB.com. Yes, but: The timing of Anthony's arrival and Devers' departure is an unfortunate reminder for Sox fans that the team hasn't consistently held on to its young stars. - The most infamous recent example: the team's decision to trade former league MVP Mookie Betts, who's since won two World Series with the LA Dodgers.
The bottom line: Whether or not the Sox stay in contention with Devers gone, fans can hope to watch Anthony blossom in an expanded role. Share this with a Sox diehard
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