Red Sox Make Major Roman Anthony Decision Ahead of 2026 MLB Opening Day

As spring training ramps up and Opening Day draws closer, the Boston Red Sox appear to be shaping into one of the most intriguing contenders in what many expect to be baseball’s toughest division. With the AL East poised for another season of fierce competition, Boston’s internal decisions—especially those shaping the top of the lineup—have taken on heightened significance. And on Saturday, the Red Sox made a major announcement that could define the early identity of their 2026 offense.

The focus of the announcement centered on 21-year-old outfielder Roman Anthony, one of the organization’s most prized talents and one of the most hyped young hitters in the American League. After debuting last season and quickly showcasing both polish and star-level tools, Anthony has become a central piece of Boston’s long-term blueprint. Last year, the Red Sox not only promoted him but also signed him to a nine-year, $130 million contract before he had even appeared in 100 major-league games—a bold commitment the franchise believes could become a bargain if Anthony reaches the MVP ceiling many scouts envision.

Manager Alex Cora revealed that Anthony will serve as the team’s leadoff hitter entering the 2026 season. It’s a substantial vote of confidence for the young slugger, who will now be tasked with setting the tone for a lineup headlined by a mix of seasoned veterans and ascending stars. Cora’s explanation was simple and candid: “It can be 1-0 very quick or it’s a quality at-bat.” In other words, whether Anthony is launching the first pitch of the game into the seats or grinding through a disciplined at-bat, the Red Sox trust him to dictate the offensive rhythm from pitch one.

Anthony enters the season with only 71 major-league games under his belt, but those 71 games reshaped Boston’s outlook for the next decade. Despite his youth and limited service time, he posted a 3.1 bWAR with eight home runs, 32 RBI, a .292 average and an impressive 140 OPS+. It was the type of production typically associated with sophomores or breakout third-year players, not a 21-year-old adjusting to big-league velocity for the first time. His maturity at the plate, willingness to attack hittable pitches and ability to drive the ball to all fields quickly earned the attention of the entire league.

The only setback came in September when an oblique injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season, cutting short what could have been an even more remarkable rookie campaign. Before the injury, Anthony had already appeared in the leadoff spot 27 times, demonstrating that the role wasn’t entirely new to him. But anchoring the position full-time in 2026 represents an evolution in responsibility—one the Red Sox believe he is fully prepared to handle.

For Boston, the decision reflects more than lineup structure. It symbolizes an organizational shift toward embracing high-upside youth in key roles, something the club has hesitated to do in previous seasons. Anthony’s promotion to leadoff marks a strategic blending of explosive athleticism and disciplined approach.

Spring training will mark the first test of his new assignment as the Red Sox open Grapefruit League play against the Minnesota Twins. Anthony is slated to hit first in Saturday’s matchup, likely receiving a couple of early at-bats before being substituted out—standard procedure for early-spring contests. Yet even in limited action, his presence at the top of the order will give fans the first glimpse of Boston’s planned 2026 identity.

Cora, who has coached multiple lineups filled with elite hitters, also referenced two MLB stars when explaining Anthony’s role: Mookie Betts and George Springer. Both players have served as premier leadoff hitters capable of power, on-base prowess and matchup disruption. To draw such comparisons speaks volumes about Anthony’s tools and the role Cora envisions him filling. While Anthony is still carving out his big-league identity, the implication is clear: Boston sees him as a game-changer with the bat in his hands from the very first pitch.

The Red Sox lineup construction still contains some moving parts, but Cora has already provided hints about how things may take shape. In January, he confirmed that veteran catcher Willson Contreras will hit cleanup—a spot designed to capitalize on Anthony’s potential ability to reach base at a high rate. That leaves sluggers such as Jarren Duran and Trevor Story as the most likely candidates to bat second or third, depending on matchup preferences and how the coaching staff wants to distribute speed and power across the top of the order.

If Anthony performs as Boston hopes, the Red Sox may open many games with a dynamic sequence of elite bat-to-ball skills, power, and aggressive baserunning. It’s exactly the type of structure that modern offenses covet—an explosive leadoff threat followed by high-contact hitters and seasoned middle-order producers.

Beyond the lineup implications, Anthony’s role at the top could also accelerate his growth. Young hitters in the leadoff position often see fastballs at a higher rate, an advantage that allows them to settle into games more smoothly. Given Anthony’s strong plate discipline and advanced understanding of the strike zone, it’s easy to envision him flourishing as pitchers attempt to establish early command.

His rookie-season metrics already point to a hitter far more mature than his age suggests. Anthony routinely posted hard-hit rates above league average, showed a calm presence in two-strike counts and demonstrated an ability to stay back on breaking pitches—traits that frequently separate elite hitters from average ones. Boston’s staff has privately noted that Anthony’s plate discipline ranked among the best on the team last season, a remarkable detail given his limited experience.

The Red Sox are also bullish on Anthony’s long-term potential. Scouts have frequently compared his swing decisions and underlying data to those of established stars. With a rare blend of athleticism, confidence and swing consistency, he has the potential to become the face of the franchise. And the organization’s willingness to give him a nine-year contract before his first full season reflects their total alignment behind that vision.

While expectations naturally rise with such praise, Anthony has shown no signs of being overwhelmed by the spotlight. Instead, teammates and coaches have described him as quietly confident, highly detail-oriented and diligent about daily preparation—hallmarks of future All-Stars.

As the Red Sox prepare for Opening Day, the decision to elevate Roman Anthony into the leadoff role appears both bold and carefully considered. It represents a franchise betting on its youth, trusting the development system and aligning its offense around a player who might define the decade to come.

The 2026 season will test Anthony’s resilience, adaptability and consistency, but the opportunity ahead is enormous. If he rises to the moment, Boston’s first major lineup decision of the year may end up being one of its most impactful. And for a team chasing relevance and championship aspirations in baseball’s fiercest division, having a dynamic 21-year-old setting the tone every night might be exactly what the Red Sox need.