Paul Toboni knew what he had simply set his eyes upon. There was one thing completely different about Roman Anthony, at the same time as a teenager popping out of highschool in South Florida. There was assurance at 17 years previous. Conviction not simply in his recreation, however in who he was. 

“I believe in the beginning [what stood out about Roman] was simply the individual he was,” stated Toboni, the Pink Sox assistant GM, who was the crew’s novice scouting director when Anthony was drafted within the second spherical in 2022. “He is simply so regular and works onerous. It is simply the kind of individual he’s.”

Not even three years after being drafted, he was within the large leagues at 21, not simply surviving, however belonging. On Thursday, he signed an eight-year, $130 million extension that may maintain him in Boston by means of no less than the 2034 season. That is not simply perception. That is a franchise cornerstone.

There’s weight to being the No. 1 prospect in baseball like Anthony. There’s weight to residing as much as these expectations in a market similar to Boston’s. The Pink Sox additionally signed Kristian Campbell to a deal in his rookie yr. Campbell although, even with a assured $60 million in his pocket, was demoted to Triple A Worcester for a bit extra seasoning. He was nonetheless too inexperienced. Overpowered by the pace of the sport. Maybe the noise within the background, too. 

However Anthony? He appears constructed for this. From the second his ft touched soil at Fenway again in June, the outfielder has by no means budged. 

“I believe [that personality] comes from realizing if you get right here, it is the identical recreation, and you already know, you are right here for a motive,” Anthony stated. “Regardless of who you are dealing with, or the kind of participant, the kind of crew you are dealing with, you guys are all large leaguers.” 

With the Pink Sox strengthening their grip on a playoff spot, Anthony has emerged as one in every of their finest gamers. He is slashing .283/.400/.428 with an .828 OPS since making his MLB debut on June 6. The facility hasn’t absolutely proven — simply two homers in 190 plate appearances — however the 15 doubles recommend it is coming. As he adjusts to big-league pitching and grows into his 6-foot-3, 200-pound body, you possibly can see it. Extra weight. Extra energy. Extra slug. All indicators level to the longer term face of a historic group. 

“It’s totally tough what he is doing,” teammate Alex Bregman stated. “Simply the on-base potential, the swing selections in stress pack video games, the flexibility to hit the ball with energy from line to line. He is a extremely good base-runner and has performed actually good protection as properly. However simply the standard of the at-bat in opposition to the most effective of the most effective has been what the true distinction maker has been.” 

You possibly can’t pace Anthony up within the field. Simply have a look at the 26 walks in 46 video games and a 132 OPS+, properly above league common. Most left-handed hitters want time to regulate to dealing with lefties. Even Rafael Devers — among the best hitters on the planet — was eased into that function by Alex Cora early on. However Anthony has all the time dealt with them. He stood in in opposition to the most effective, together with a current double off the Inexperienced Monster in opposition to Astros lefty Framber Valdez. That is why it was by no means even a thought for Cora to deal with him the best way he as soon as did with Devers. Most rookies want time earlier than they’re thrown into the highlight. Batting them close to the underside of the order often feels just like the protected transfer. However Anthony’s a special cat. So Cora has him hitting at or close to the highest of the lineup in ffront of a packed Fenway crowd that may really feel a playoff berth singing its approach up Jersey Road.

“The best way he’s, he dominates the strike zone,” Cora stated. “I am not saying its straightforward however that is the best way it needs to be, proper? Like, if you do this, good issues are going to occur. You recognize, he has an incredible swing. He has a fairly good thought of what he desires to perform in each at bat.” 

Anthony does not attempt to impress. Each howdy appears real. Purposeful. Identical to his at-bats. He is not attempting to slot in, both. He simply does, even together with his locker nestled between All-Stars like Bregman and Jarren Duran, Anthony leaves sufficient elbow room for himself with out taking over house. 

Who is aware of if regression is coming. Generally it hits younger gamers if you least count on it. The league adjusts, and with bigger pattern sizes come new methods to assault. When that occurs, Anthony will depend upon his teammates — those who’ve already been by means of the gauntlet.

“I am simply leaning on these guys in an effort to assist myself when the sport begins at seven o’clock,” he added. 

Regression hit Campbell after a torrid begin. Groups pounded him inside with fastballs, and he began to look his age. It hit Duran in 2021, too. He rode the elevator between Triple-A and the majors till 2023, when it lastly clicked. Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday felt it from the soar final season — and he was the No. 1 prospect in baseball, similar to Anthony.

However some regressions aren’t as steep. Anthony’s may simply be a blip.

“Shoot, I pinch hit for him the primary recreation,” Cora stated. “I in all probability will not pinch hit for him once more.” 

There’s simply one thing completely different about Roman Anthony.