Boston Red Sox rookie Roman Anthony has been compared to star hitter Juan Soto by manager Alex Cora during a recent discussion about Anthony’s playing style. Cora highlighted Anthony’s exceptional plate discipline, noting that while the rookie lacks flashiness, his at-bats are consistently impressive for their quality and patience.
“Who he reminds me of, it’s hard,”
Cora said, per The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.
“I don’t want to say (Barry) Bonds, of course. Probably (Juan) Soto, without the flashiness, early on. It’s a good at-bat. He’s not going to chase. Even when he doesn’t get hits, you’re like, holy s—, that’s a good at-bat.”
Statistical Evidence Backs Up the Comparison
Ken Rosenthal supported Cora’s perspective by citing Anthony’s statistical performance, which highlights his mature approach at the plate despite his rookie status. Anthony is averaging over four pitches per plate appearance and has maintained a 14.6 percent walk rate, measures that would position him among the league’s leaders if he had played full-time.
“Anthony is averaging 4.25 pitches per plate appearance,”
Rosenthal wrote.
“His walk rate is 14.6 percent. In those categories … he would rank among the league leaders if he had enough playing time.”
Anthony’s Rapid Growth Earns Respect from Teammates and Analysts
At just 58 games into his major league career, Roman Anthony has stunned fans and experts with his swift rise and poise. His performance at the plate has been described as veteran-level patience and composure, distinguishing him from many rookies who often swing aggressively to prove themselves.
Even Alex Bregman, a three-time All-Star and Anthony’s teammate, recently praised his ability. Bregman’s high regard adds weight to the narrative that Anthony has quickly adapted to major-league pitching and is already a critical contributor for the Red Sox lineup.
The Red Sox’s Roman Anthony has passed every test so far. His next challenge: Yankee Stadium. https://t.co/Cm4sDjPZiY pic.twitter.com/5amezgGCq9
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 21, 2025
Balancing Organization’s Experienced Players and Emerging Prospects
Coming into the 2025 season, the Red Sox were viewed as a team with a mix of established stars and promising young talent on the cusp of major-league impact. Veterans like Garrett Crochet, Alex Bregman, Jarren Duran, and Rafael Devers were expected to lead the team immediately, while prospects such as Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell, and Marcelo Mayer were anticipated to take more time to develop.
Anthony’s rapid adjustment has effectively bridged this gap, accelerating his role in the team beyond earlier expectations. Alongside Bregman, he has helped fill the offensive void left by Devers, becoming a key part of Boston’s lineup as the team looks toward postseason contention this fall.
Implications for the Red Sox’s Future Competitiveness
The swift emergence of Roman Anthony as a dependable and disciplined hitter has become a major factor in the Red Sox’s hopes for competing for a title. His ability to get really good, really fast suggests the team’s investment in young talent could pay dividends sooner than anticipated.
Ken Rosenthal also raised questions about whether Boston might regret waiting to promote Anthony to the majors, as the rookie’s immediate impact indicates he was ready earlier than the organization initially believed. Observers and fans alike are now left wondering how soon Anthony might be regarded as the best player on the Red Sox roster.