After a poised and productive rookie year, Alex Cora is betting on Anthony to set the tone at the top of the order in 2026.
When Alex Cora met with reporters ahead of Saturday morning’s first Grapefruit League game, he didn’t leave much room for suspense about one of the most important lineup decisions heading into 2026.
The Boston Red Sox skipper made it clear that Roman Anthony will open the season as the club’s leadoff hitter - a move that feels less like a bold declaration and more like a natural continuation of what we saw before his rookie year was cut short.
Truth be told, this should come as no surprise.
Before the oblique injury that ended his ascendant rookie campaign late last summer, Anthony had already settled comfortably into the role, looking every bit like a table-setter you could build an offense around.
His blend of plate discipline, bat-to-ball skills, and maturity at just 21 years old gave the Red Sox a different kind of spark at the top - one that consistently put pressure on opposing pitching staffs from the first pitch of the game.
And the numbers back up exactly why Cora feels comfortable penciling his name into that spot.
In 71 games with the big league club, Anthony hit .292 with 8 home runs, 32 RBI, 75 hits, and 48 runs scored, finishing with a .396 on-base percentage and .463 slugging percentage for an .859 OPS. His 3.1 WAR underscored just how impactful he was in a relatively small sample, particularly for a player making his first adjustment to major league pitching.
Aug 26, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony (19) stands in the dugout before the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. (James A. Pittman/Imagn Images)But the case for Anthony isn’t just about the slash line.
He showed impressive versatility defensively, logging time at all three outfield spots while also stepping in at designated hitter when needed. On the bases, while the stolen base total sat at just four, his instincts consistently showed up in more subtle ways - taking the extra base, going first-to-third, and routinely scoring from first as the season wore on.
More than anything, though, it was the poise. Before the injury, Anthony looked like a 10-year veteran at the plate, rarely sped up by big moments and consistently delivering quality at-bats regardless of situation.
That’s a big reason why the organization moved quickly to lock him up long term, signing him to an eight-year, $130 million extension less than two months after his call-up - a deal that could grow to $230 million with escalators and runs through 2033 with a club option for 2034.
So when Cora says Anthony will lead off in 2026, it doesn’t feel like projection.
It feels like the next logical step for a player who already showed he belongs at the front of the line, and who now gets a full season to prove just how high his ceiling really is.
Aug 25, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony (19) hits a home run during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. (Daniel Kucin Jr./Imagn Images)JOIN THE CONVERSATION:
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Tom Carroll is a contributor for Roundtable, with boots-on-the-ground coverage of all things Boston sports. He's a senior digital content producer for WEEI.com, and a native of Lincoln, RI.