Roman Anthony is facing a challenging start to the season, burdened by the high expectations set by the Red Sox and the front office’s decisions that left him as the focal point of a struggling offense. Following last June’s trade of Rafael Devers and Alex Bregman’s departure, the pressure on the young star has intensified, especially as he enters his age-22 season. Despite showing promise during the 2025 season, including a strong performance before a September oblique injury, the current reality is that he has yet to find his rhythm.

Through his first 22 games, Anthony has recorded just one home run, a pinch-hit shot against Astros closer Bryan Abreu, and holds a .686 OPS. His recent absence during the final two games of a series loss to the New York Yankees due to a back issue has raised concerns, particularly given his injury history.

These struggles have contributed to a growing skepticism about the team’s prospects, as they sit at 9-16 to start the season. Yet, amid the challenges, there are glimmers of hope. Anthony continues to demonstrate the qualities that defined his offensive profile, hitting the ball hard with an average exit velocity in the 89th percentile and maintaining a walk rate in the 91st percentile.

His potential was on full display earlier this year during the World Baseball Classic, where he caught the eye of former Red Sox infielder and Team USA hitting coach Sean Casey. “I like the way he works in the cages,” Casey noted in a recent interview. “He was really driving the ball in the gaps in batting practice, really trying to work that left center gap. You can tell he was really working the middle of the field.” Casey expressed confidence in Anthony’s routine and approach, essential for a player still in the early stages of his career.

Over the past year, fans have witnessed Anthony’s ability to unleash powerful swings, from his Spring Breakout rocket to his impressive 497-foot grand slam in Worcester. Casey believes Anthony has the potential to join the ranks of elite left-handed hitters by expanding his approach to include opposite-field power. “Your best hitters, their approach is out over the plate,” Casey explained. “For Roman, I think the best hitters are trying to drive the ball to left center. He was saying center, left of center; which I liked.”

At Fenway Park, the conventional wisdom often favors right-handed power hitters, yet Casey emphasizes the advantage for adaptable lefties like Anthony. He believes that the iconic Green Monster can help Anthony break out of his slump. “He’s gonna get hot. He’s gonna get hot and put up some damage numbers,” Casey predicted. “I think the biggest thing for him is really to use that Monster. The Monster can get you hot quickly.”

Beyond his on-field abilities, Casey also praised Anthony’s character. “This guy feels like a veteran. Just a nice guy, hard worker,” he said, highlighting the young outfielder’s humility and approachability. Anthony’s experience with Team USA, where he took on rookie responsibilities like carrying the team’s speaker, helped him integrate into a star-studded clubhouse, earning the respect of players like Aaron Judge.

Throughout the World Baseball Classic, Anthony demonstrated his readiness to compete at the highest level, playing in all seven games and contributing significantly with a .280 batting average and a .920 OPS. His clutch performance against the Dominican Republic showcased his ability to thrive under pressure, further solidifying his reputation as a player who can handle big moments.

Sean Casey sees Anthony as part of an elite group of young talent, comparing him to rising stars like Konnor Griffin and Bobby Witt Jr. He believes that Anthony’s resurgence is imminent. “You can’t teach experience,” Casey said. “For a guy like Roman, I don’t think the stage of Boston rattles him. I think it’s more about him getting settled in and getting hot pretty soon.” With time and patience, Casey is confident that Anthony will find his groove and become a cornerstone of the Red Sox lineup.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.

Kenji Tanaka is an experienced sports journalist who brings an analytical approach to his coverage of baseball and martial arts. With a deep respect for tradition and a keen interest in the evolving dynamics of sports, Kenji’s work reflects a balance between reverence for the past and excitement for the future. At 21Sports.com, his articles are a blend of rich cultural insights and sharp analysis. In his free time, Kenji enjoys practicing kendo and exploring culinary adventures.