Boston Red Sox fans are buzzing with excitement as they eagerly await the promotion of top prospect Roman Anthony to the majors. And after his electrifying performance for Triple-A Worcester on Saturday night, it’s easy to see why.
During an International League matchup against Rochester, Anthony put on a show like few others, launching a jaw-dropping 497-foot grand slam that led the WooSox to a 10-4 victory. With this monumental blast, he not only helped secure the win but also solidified his status as ESPN’s top-rated prospect.
In the eighth inning, Anthony stepped up to face Carlos Romero and crushed a 91.1 mph sinker over the right-center-field wall, sending it on a trajectory that left fans in awe. His exit velocity? An impressive 115.6 mph. Statcast confirmed that this was the longest home run in affiliated baseball this season, adding another feather to Anthony’s cap.
After the game, the 21-year-old couldn’t contain his enthusiasm, stating, “Got it and didn’t really miss it. So, it felt great.” WooSox manager Chad Tracy echoed the sentiment, simply declaring, “That ball was murdered.” It’s clear that Anthony’s power isn’t just a flash in the pan; he’s proving to be a force to be reckoned with.
To put his achievement in context, it’s noteworthy that only one home run in the majors this season has eclipsed the 475-foot mark—a 484-footer hit by none other than Mike Trout against the San Francisco Giants on April 19. Since Statcast began tracking home runs in 2015, only a handful of players have managed to hit longer shots than Anthony’s recent dinger. Among them are stars like Nomar Mazara, Giancarlo Stanton, C.J. Cron, and Christian Yelich, each of whom showcased similar power at the big league level.
Drafted in the second round of the 2022 amateur draft, Anthony is making waves this season, batting .290 with 10 home runs and 29 RBIs across 57 games. With two grand slams already under his belt, the anticipation for his potential impact at the major league level is palpable.
As Red Sox fans continue to hope for his ascension to the big leagues, Anthony’s display of power is a tantalizing glimpse of what may come. If he keeps this up, it won’t be long before he’s wearing a Red Sox uniform and putting on a show at Fenway Park.
