The Roman Empire
Let’s just state the obvious:
📢 Roman Anthony is a dude.
Not a project.
Not “a tools guy.”
Not a future trivia answer on NESN’s “Prospects That Punched You in the Soul.”
This kid is legit.
He’s 21 years old, playing every day in Triple-A Worcester, and making it very, very uncomfortable for every lazy vet in the Sox outfield to keep collecting MLB paychecks.
So far in Worcester?
🔹 .303 BA
🔹 .430 OBP
🔹 .492 SLG
🔹 8 HR, 23 RBI, 3 SB, 45 BB
🔹 OPS: .922
🔹 On-base streak: 24 games and counting
He’s not just surviving.
He’s carving pitchers up like he’s been here before.
Opposite-field doubles. Deep counts. Plate discipline that makes you forget we used to put Enrique Hernández in the leadoff spot like it was a good idea.
And the best part? He’s not even close to done.
His power is still warming up — and when it clicks, Fenway’s gonna look small. Like, “toss one into the bullpen with a flick of the wrists” small.
Let’s get a quick reality check on the rest of the system:
📍 Marcelo Mayer is finally healthy and in the majors — barreling balls, making plays, and reminding us that yes, he actually was worth the hype.
🔥 Franklin Arias is tearing up A-ball, hitting .362 with a .410 OBP, and climbing prospect rankings faster than the Sox bullpen ERA.
😬 Blaze Jordan is either about to figure it out or start selling insurance. You watch him take one AB and you're sold, then he K’s on three pitches the next trip and makes you delete the clip.
💨 Jhostynxon Garcia? Just got the call to Worcester. The tools are there, but the consistency? Not so much.
And then there’s Roman, dragging the entire system forward by sheer force of OBP.
This kid gets it.
He’s already got the professional mindset.
He’s not wasting at-bats.
He’s not trying to do too much.
He’s just grinding pitchers into dust.
And here’s the crazy part — he’s not even close to his ceiling.
Give him another 10–15 pounds of muscle and you’re looking at a guy who hits .270/.360 with 25+ bombs a year while playing legit defense in center or right.
You want a comp?
Imagine if Andrew Benintendi didn’t give up on being good.
Imagine if Alex Verdugo had work ethic.
Imagine if Boston actually developed a homegrown outfielder who stuck.
Because that’s what we’re watching — in real time.
⚠️ But here's the warning shot:
👉 Don’t screw this up.
👉 Don’t overcook him in Worcester.
👉 Don’t slap him into some analytic voodoo project that turns him into Franchy 2.0.
👉 Don’t deal him at the deadline for another reliever with “spin rate upside” and a 5.48 ERA.
Let him play. Let him eat. Let him rise.
This is your guy.
This is your future.
This is the f***ing Roman Empire.
📬
Stay In The Loop!
Subscribe to the Bastards of Boston Newsletter for daily sarcasm, unfiltered rants, and the occasional flicker of hope.