The Boston Red Sox hit the jackpot with Roman Anthony, but not everyone thinks Anthony is the best rookie in Major League Baseball. On Tuesday, Anthony landed at No. 2 on a new list that ranked each team’s best rookie. Anthony entered Tuesday with sparkling numbers for a guy who hasn’t been in the big leagues for three months: .289/ .397/ .466 with eight home runs and a 140 OPS+ in 295 plate appearances for the Red Sox since his MLB debut on June 9.
Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter wrote a glowing review of Anthony while ranking the outfielder in the No. 2 spot behind Nick Kurtz of the Athletics.
“This is what a hyped prospect emerging as a star while his rookie season unfolds looks like, folks,” Reuter wrote.
“Roman Anthony began the season as the No. 1 prospect in baseball, and the 21-year-old has transformed the Red Sox offense since taking over as the team’s primary leadoff hitter.”
“He might still be a long shot in the AL Rookie of the Year race, but it’s entirely possible Anthony ends up being the best player from the 2025 rookie class by a wide margin when all is said and done,” Reuter added.
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It didn’t take long for Anthony to find his sea legs against major league pitching. After hitting .210 in June, Anthony’s bat came alive in July — he hit .329 in the month and continues to get more comfortable, with a slightly lower average in August (.304) but also a power surge (six home runs in the month).
Anthony has been exactly as advertised, or even better, if you take into account how quickly he’s become a difference-making MLB hitter.
Barring injury, Anthony’s ceiling might be even higher than his most ardent supporters suspected a few months ago. It’s a thrilling development for the Red Sox, and a potential nightmare for the rest of the American League East.
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By the way, behind Kurtz and Anthony, Reuter had the following rookies in his top five:
3. Cade Horton (Chicago Cubs)4. Noah Cameron (Kansas City Royals)5. Isaac Collins (Milwaukee Brewers)