Red Sox top prospect makes spring debut; 'I was seeing it well today, so I felt good in the box'
The Red Sox held their first home spring training game on Sunday afternoon against the Twins from JetBlue Park. Boston played most of their regulars during the game while also starting top prospect Roman Anthony in center field.
Anthony’s appearance in the game was unexpected, just last week, manager Alex Cora told reporters that he would not play in a spring training game.
It appears that after the Red Sox played the Orioles on Saturday and getting a first hand look at their top young players, Cora changed his mind.
“It’s good for them to get the experience, playing in the big stadium and TV and all that stuff,” said Cora before the game to reporters. “I was actually thinking about it just watching the Orioles (Saturday)....Baltimore wasn’t shy about talking about their guys. Little by little, they’re playing.”
Anthony was penciled ninth in the lineup and started in center. In three plate appearances, he walked twice, struck out once and scored a run.
“Amazing. It was super exciting to be out there with the guys, getting to start,” said Anthony after the game. “It was awesome. The fans, it felt real. Playing with the big league guys and all the fans being there, it was super exciting and it was just fun to take it all in.”
Cora told Anthony on Saturday he would play against the Twins. He found out he was starting once he got to the ballpark.
Anthony looked strong against big league pitching in his first two at-bats. He worked deep into the count both times before working walks.
“I just stuck to my approach, stuck to what I do,” he said. “What I try to do best is fight and compete, work the count and get a pitch to hit. I was seeing it well today, so I felt good in the box.”
Anthony doesn’t know if he will get another start like he did on Sunday. The 19-year-old isn’t taking his first spring training game for granted. The experience he gained will prepare him as he continues to soar through the Red Sox minor league system.
“It’s just makes it easier once the time comes,” he said, “being experienced with the teammates that you hope to play with for a while and win a championship in Boston with. It’s awesome. I was pumped to hear that I was in there and hope to be back there soon for more.”
