How Roman Anthony Truly Feels About Hitting Leadoff in the Red Sox Lineup

The Boston Red Sox ended a long playoff drought last season by securing their first postseason berth since 2021, but their stay was painfully brief as the New York Yankees dispatched them quickly in the Wild Card round. For manager Alex Cora, the ability to go deeper into October in 2026 rests heavily on the progression of outfielder Roman Anthony, the franchise’s most exciting young positional talent.
At just 19 years old last season, Anthony injected energy, consistency, and maturity far beyond his age, and his development now shapes the core of the organization’s long-term offensive blueprint.

The Red Sox promoted Anthony earlier than initially planned, bringing him up from Triple-A Worcester early in the 2025 campaign when it became clear he had very little left to prove in the minors. His combination of plate discipline, advanced swing decisions, and fast-improving power immediately made him one of Boston’s most reliable everyday players.
In 2025, he finished with a .292/.396/.463 slash line, adding eight home runs and thirty-two runs batted in across a stretch of games that placed him firmly in Rookie of the Year discussions before injuries intervened.

Anthony’s rookie season was cut short by an oblique strain suffered in late September, a devastating blow that not only halted his personal momentum but also significantly reduced Boston’s offensive ceiling entering the playoffs. Without his high on-base percentage at the top of the lineup, the Red Sox struggled to generate consistent traffic against New York’s pitching staff, making many inside the organization wonder whether his presence might have changed the postseason outcome.
Cora admitted after the elimination that losing Anthony was “a huge hit for how we function offensively,” a statement that underlined the teenager’s startling importance.

Now fully healthy and entering 2026 with expanded expectations, Anthony will take on an even more significant responsibility: the leadoff role. Cora confirmed that he plans to utilize the young slugger in the No. 1 spot throughout the season, an increasingly modern strategy that places a team’s best hitter at the top of the order to maximize plate appearances.
This is a trend embraced league-wide, with several analytically driven clubs now prioritizing power, patience, and all-around impact at the leadoff position rather than traditional base-stealing speedsters of past eras.

For Anthony, who has demonstrated a rare ability to hit the ball hard while also showing patience beyond his years, the assignment plays directly into his strengths. He has consistently displayed one of the highest hard-contact rates on the team, and many Red Sox evaluators believe his underlying metrics project him as a future middle-of-the-order star.
Yet Cora’s decision reflects a belief that the leadoff spot could unlock even more value by giving Anthony the maximum number of opportunities each game to disrupt pitchers, set the tone, and energize the dugout from the first inning onward.

Anthony, to his credit, has embraced the move with the type of maturity Boston has come to expect from him. Never one to seek personal accolades, he has long been known inside the clubhouse for his team-first mentality and his willingness to accept any role that benefits the group.
Speaking with NESN, he made his feelings crystal clear: “I ultimately just want to do anything to help the team win. If that’s what AC says gives us the best chance, that’s good for me. I take a lot of pride in getting the boys going and hitting the ball hard.”

His comments align perfectly with the internal reputation he has built since reaching the major-league level. Coaches repeatedly describe him as one of the most focused hitters in the organization, a player who approaches every at-bat with the intensity of a postseason moment. His commitment to preparation has earned praise from veterans, including those who believe he may become the franchise’s next foundational star.
That leadership quality — quiet but influential — is one of the reasons Cora believes Anthony can handle the pressure of initiating Boston’s offensive attack nightly.

From a tactical standpoint, there is a strong statistical argument supporting Anthony as the leadoff choice. His nearly .400 on-base percentage in 2025 suggests he excels at extending plate appearances, forcing pitchers to reveal their early patterns, and allowing his teammates behind him to benefit from the information gained.
In addition, his ability to drive the ball into Fenway Park’s expansive outfield creates early scoring threats, giving Boston a chance to seize momentum before opponents can settle into their rhythm.

Furthermore, the Red Sox lineup construction features several versatile hitters, including Triston Casas and Rafael Devers, who thrive with runners on base and can anchor the middle of the order. Anthony’s presence ahead of them could significantly increase RBI opportunities and deepen the overall lineup balance.
Cora has maintained that part of the appeal of batting Anthony first lies in how it simplifies the team’s offensive identity, creating immediate pressure and energy that carries throughout the game.

Teammates have already noticed Anthony’s comfort with the assignment. Several players have remarked that his batting-practice sessions appear louder and more explosive this spring, reflecting not only improved health but also a stronger understanding of his timing and pitch-selection process.
This progression is a natural extension of the lessons learned during 2025, when Anthony proved he could adjust to major-league velocity and break-off pitches at an impressive rate for someone his age.

His return from injury also signals an important turning point for the franchise. The Red Sox have spent the last several seasons attempting to rebuild both their farm system and major-league competitiveness simultaneously, a challenging balance that often requires patience with young stars. Anthony’s accelerated development allows Boston to take a significant leap forward in that process.
The organization believes his ceiling resembles that of a perennial All-Star, with the athleticism, discipline, and raw power to eventually anchor the lineup for a decade.

While expectations will undoubtedly grow, Cora continues to emphasize a steady, supportive development plan. He has made clear that Anthony does not need to be perfect, nor does he need to replicate the production of established veteran stars. Instead, the focus lies in consistency — reaching base frequently, taking strong swings, and influencing games with mature decision-making.
Such qualities are essential for a leadoff hitter, especially one entrusted with igniting the offense in high-pressure divisional battles throughout the season.

Beyond the numbers, Anthony’s presence brings an intangible spark that Boston craves. Fenway Park crowds respond to young players who display infectious energy and effort, and Anthony embodies both traits with authentic enthusiasm. His aggressive baserunning, fearless swings, and genuine joy for the game make him a natural fan favorite.
If his production continues to rise in 2026, he may quickly become the new face of the Red Sox’ youth movement, ushering in a fresh chapter for the franchise.

Looking toward the upcoming season, the Red Sox find themselves in a competitive American League landscape. The Yankees, bolstered by their Wild Card triumph last year, continue to push for dominance. Meanwhile, the Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles both possess deep, talented rosters.
Boston will need every advantage possible to reassert itself among the league’s elite, and Anthony’s growth represents one of the most impactful variables influencing their trajectory.

To reach October again — and advance further than last year’s brief playoff exit — the Red Sox must maximize production from every corner of the diamond. Anthony’s move to the leadoff spot is designed to amplify his influence, giving him the chance to set the tone from the first pitch of every game.
His maturity, plate discipline, and offensive versatility make him uniquely suited to that role, and Cora appears confident the young outfielder will thrive under the added responsibility.

For Anthony, the mission remains straightforward. He wants to stay healthy, maintain his disciplined approach, and contribute in every possible way to a team determined to evolve from playoff participant to legitimate title contender.
His acceptance of the leadoff role — delivered with humility and conviction — reinforces why the Red Sox believe he is not merely a talented player but a foundational pillar for years to come.

With spring training underway and expectations rising, all eyes in Boston now turn to the young star who helped reignite the franchise last season. Roman Anthony’s willingness to embrace the leadoff spot signals not just tactical adjustment, but emotional leadership — the kind of mindset capable of reshaping a team’s identity.
If his continued growth mirrors the poise he has already shown, the Red Sox may soon find themselves built around a player ready to usher in a new era at Fenway Park.