Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell Already Thrill Red Sox Big-Leauge Staff

BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox should get a boost from the long-developing elite group of prospect talent that defined the last few seasons.

Roman Anthony and Kristian Campbell should be the first two players in that conversation to debut in 2025. Anthony gained national recognition as Baseball America’s No. 1 prospect while Campbell cleaned up accolades after a three-level rise in 2024. The coaching staff at the big-league level knows how special both players can be as contributors for the Red Sox as rookies.

“Physicality, they’re physical guys,” Red Sox hitting coach Pete Fatse told NESN.com during “Fenway Fest” Saturday. “Big, physical, athletic guys. I think that’s been my first impression since I met them seeing them around the complex in Ft. Myers. They’re great kids, too. They’re extremely invested in their own development, which is huge. Obviously really excited to get the opportunity to work with those guys.”

Both bats are extraordinary among prospects and the Red Sox can gradually turn them into lineup mainstays. Defensively, both players have quality athletic traits that should translate defensively wherever they end up.

“These guys are going to come up and be in camp,” Red Sox third base coach and outfield coordinator Kyle Hudson told NESN.com during “Fenway Fest” Saturday. “It’s going to be fun to have them around the group. What we talk about in camp a lot is just competing. The more guys that we have, the more competition we’ll be able to work toward.”

Hudson emphasized that both players should benefit from an engaging, youthful environment to sharpen their skills. The Red Sox have a surplus of young outfielders with Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu all making impacts defensively at the MLB level. The outfield coordinator encouraged the top Red Sox prospects to follow that example as they approach their debuts.

“Those young guys saw the outfield last year and how well those guys were able to take away runs,” Hudson added. “I’m sure that their thought is they want to add to that. I’ve heard nothing but great things about the way that they work, the way that they are, the way they get after it. I see them fitting in really well with the group that we already have.”