For the Red Sox, the recent performance of Roman Anthony has been refreshing in that the No. 1 overall MLB prospect, after a rough start to the season, has finally started to look like the laser-hitting future star so many expected him to be when he was called up from the minors early last month. Anthony started off Tuesday’s game against the Reds 1-for-2 before the rain delay, stretching his hitting streak to five games.
He’s hitting .450 over those five games and showing that he does, indeed, belong in this Red Sox lineup.
Of course, the problem with Anthony remains the same now as it was early in the season, when the Red Sox did not bring him up to the big leagues because the lineup was simply too crowded, with Jarren Duran in left field, Ceddanne Rafaela in center and Wilyer Abreu in right. When Rafael Devers was at DH, there was nowhere to put Anthony.
Now, Devers is gone to San Francisco, so there is a lineup spot available for Anthony. But the Red Sox really don’t want their budding star to be a designated hitter–they want him in the field. As manager Alex Cora said on Tuesday, though, there’s simply no place to put him.
Alex Cora: Don’t Want to Make Roman Anthony a DH
Cora acknowledged the dilemma in talking to reporters before the game vs. Cincinnati. Anthony has been the DH six times in his 19 appearances, including four times in his last five games.
“I don’t want to make him a DH right away,“ said Cora, via MassLive. ”He needs reps in the outfield. He made a great throw the other day and here, he has made some great plays in right field. Keeping the balance, checking with the other guys with where they’re at physically, we’ll mix it up.”
Also complicating the situation is that the Red Sox value Rob Refsnyder’s versatility and experience, but the addition of Anthony to the mix cuts into his opportunities for playing time. And the DH spot is likely to be occupied soon when Masataka Yoshida comes off the DL.
Red Sox Loaded in the Outfield
It’s a good problem to have, and one of the unfortunate ironies is that the outfield is the one place where the Red Sox probably could easily withstand an injury, yet that bunch has been the healthiest of all roster groups on the team.
“It’s hard because J.D. (Duran) is a good one in left field, Ceddanne is the best defensive center fielder in the big leagues and our right fielder is a Gold Glover,” Cora said.
In the long-term, of course, the solution likely will need to be a trade, and that’s why Duran’s name has been so frequently mentioned as the trade deadline approaches. The Red Sox also have intriguing outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia at Triple-A and at age 22 with a .292 average and .932 OPS in Worcester, he will soon be knocking on the door of a big-league call-up.
Too many talented young outfielders is a problem, but a relatively positive one for Boston.
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