Red Sox Manager Alex Cora Opens Up on Why Top Prospect Roman Anthony Hasn’t Been Called Up Yet
May has been a brutal month for the Boston Red Sox. Just weeks ago, on April 30, they were in a solid second place in the AL East with a 17-15 record—trailing the Yankees by only a game and a half. But since then, the wheels have come off. Heading into their May 30 game against the Atlanta Braves, Boston had dropped five straight and fallen to 27-31, now a distant 9.5 games back in fourth place.
The offensive firepower that once defined this team has dimmed significantly. After leading the league with 148 runs in April, the Red Sox have only managed 111 in May—ranking 11th among all MLB teams. Their OPS has also dropped from .786 (third-best in April) to .728 in May, again ranked 11th. One major issue: they’re hitting just .237 with runners in scoring position, good for 21st in the league. It’s obvious something needs to change—fast.
A Star Waiting in the Wings: Roman Anthony
Amid Boston’s slump, attention has shifted to one of the most talked-about young names in baseball: Roman Anthony. The 21-year-old outfielder has been tearing it up in Triple-A Worcester and is considered by many to be the top prospect in the entire sport. Anthony, who was selected in the second round of the 2022 draft out of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, has built a compelling case for a call-up.
The Red Sox drafted Anthony with the 79th overall pick, a compensation selection they received after losing left-handed pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez to Detroit in free agency. Since then, Anthony has been nothing short of phenomenal in the minors.
Over 84 games and 386 plate appearances in Worcester, he’s posted a jaw-dropping .980 OPS, with 11 homers, 21 doubles, and three triples. Digging deeper into the analytics, Anthony’s advanced metrics are even more impressive: a 69% hard-hit rate and a barreled ball percentage of 21.1%—ranking him in the 96th and 97th percentiles, respectively.
He’s batting .325 with a .993 OPS, eight home runs, and 22 RBIs this season, and just recently smashed a leadoff homer at a whopping 115.5 mph exit velocity—further proving that he’s major league-ready.
Fans Demand a Change
Naturally, with the Red Sox spiraling, fans are demanding answers—and demanding Roman Anthony. Many are questioning why the team hasn’t brought him up, especially since the other two members of Boston’s highly touted trio of prospects—Marcelo Mayer and Kristian Campbell—have already joined the major league roster.
Until now, team officials have been quiet about their reasons for keeping Anthony in the minors. But the pressure mounted this week, and both manager Alex Cora and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow finally spoke out.
Cora: ‘He’s Not Knocking, He’s Knocking the Door Down’
In a candid radio interview on WEEI Thursday, manager Alex Cora addressed the growing frustration over Anthony’s status, acknowledging that the outfielder is more than ready for a shot at the big leagues.
“I know at some point Roman is going to be here,” Cora said. “The timing is something, as an organization, we’re going to decide when. Obviously, he’s doing an outstanding job. He’s getting better. He’s not knocking at the door—he’s knocking it down, let’s be honest.”
Still, Cora stopped short of offering a clear timeline or reason for the continued delay.
Mixed Messages From the Front Office
While Cora sounded optimistic about Anthony’s progress, Breslow offered more reserved comments on the situation. On Wednesday, he told The Boston Globe that Anthony still had “a few development opportunities that we want to make sure we lock in.”
However, during a separate interview on WEEI Thursday, Breslow seemed to shift his stance, stating that Anthony was “getting comfortable in left field” and “working on some things at the plate, despite the fact that the stat lines are going to scream otherwise.”
Breslow also emphasized that the team is aware of the mental toll that promoting a 21-year-old into a high-pressure situation could have—especially during a losing skid. “We’re mindful of the environment that Roman would be coming into, and the pressure that we could potentially be putting on a 21-year-old, in the midst of a losing streak, to come up and save the team,” he said.
Analysts Say It’s Time
Many observers outside the organization have reached a consensus: it’s time. Heavy Sports writer Matthew Kaimer summed up the feeling among fans and analysts alike. “The bottom line is that the Red Sox need an offensive upgrade, and that upgrade is clearly Roman Anthony. If this team has any desire to make a playoff push, Anthony must be a focal part of it.”
Boston has seen enough underperformance, particularly from its struggling veterans and underwhelming mid-season acquisitions. The lineup needs a jolt, and Anthony might be the one player capable of delivering it.
Conclusion: All Signs Point to a Call-Up—But When?
It’s clear that Roman Anthony’s performance in Triple-A has been too dominant to ignore. With Boston slipping further out of contention and the offense sputtering, fans and analysts alike believe Anthony could be the spark the team desperately needs. Even manager Alex Cora has openly acknowledged the young slugger’s readiness. The only question now is: when will the front office finally make the move?
The Red Sox have a choice to make. Do they stay cautious and protect their prized prospect? Or do they take a calculated risk and unleash him now, potentially injecting life into a fading season?
One thing’s for sure—if Roman Anthony doesn’t get the call-up soon, the Red Sox front office will be answering even tougher questions than the ones they’re facing today.
