Boston Red Sox second baseman David Hamilton throws out Tampa Bay Rays' Jonathan Aranda at first during the fourth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Red Sox Top Prospect Positioned for Opening Day Nod Amid Massive Injury Update
The Boston Red Sox have the best problem any team can have in baseball. A war chest of talent, but only 26 positions on the big league roster. However, last year’s rookie sensation, Wilyer Abreu, has not hit the ground running this spring, dealing with a gastrointestinal bug that has kept him off the field. On Friday, reports from Boston indicated that Abreu is likely ticketed for the Injured List to open the 2025 season.
Abreu’s unfortunate setback could immediately test Boston’s depth, with the team potentially turning to their elite 20-year-old top prospect. Last season, Boston’s own Jaren Duran earned MVP votes, while rookie corner outfielder Wilyer Abreu finished sixth in AL Rookie of the Year voting and received his first career Gold Glove. Outfielder Rob Refsnyder posted a .830 OPS, and Ceddanne Rafaela had a 2.8 bWAR while nearing a 20-20 season.
The Red Sox had all this patrolling the depths of Fenway Park while housing a top-ten outfield prospect, Roman Anthony. With Abreu likely on the shelf to open the season as he remains out of baseball activities, the door has opened for Anthony, the second overall prospect per MLB.com, to break camp with the big league club.
Although just 20, Anthony has cruised through the minors, reaching Triple-A last season while hitting .344 in 35 games. He finished the 2024 campaign with 18 home runs and 21 stolen bases while registering a healthy .894 OPS. Anthony remains with the Red Sox in Spring Training, slashing .308/.500/.385 in 18 plate appearances.
