Living life as baseball's top prospect: Roman Anthony
How much more proof do the Red Sox need?
It wasn't a huge leap of faith to say that scoring runs was going to become appreciably more difficult one Alex Bregman exited the lineup. Sure enough, the Sox have managed just five runs in the four games without their star third baseman.
The latest reminder came Tuesday night in Milwaukee when the Red Sox managed just a single run once again, this time succumbing to the Brewers, 5-1, thanks to Christian Yelich's walk-off grand slam in the 10th inning.
The formula was a familiar one, with the Red Sox managing going one for 10 with runners in scoring position, striking out 10 times. It was the 27th time the Sox have fanned 10 or more times (going 7-20 in those games). And when it comes to getting those runners in scoring position in, in the last five games, Alex Cora's club is 4-for-39 without a single extra-base hit.
It just seems like the Red Sox are beating their collective heads against the wall expecting different results, yet none are forthcoming.
The frustrating aspect of the equation is that at least one very viable solution is screaming at them: Calling up the top prospect in baseball, Roman Anthony.
For starters, the Sox have received a hint as to what such a promotion can do with the addition of Marcelo Mayer, who has added a smidgeon of life to the lineup. The third baseman has gone 5-for-11 with a walk after his initial can't-find-my-keys 0-for-4.
That was a start. But as the Red Sox have discovered, they need more. Fortunately for them, more is just a phone call away.
There isn't a human being in the baseball world who doesn't think Anthony is ready for his big-league introduction. He is hitting .325 with eight homers and a .993 OPS. No player in the minor leagues has hit the ball 100 mph or better more times than Anthony, who has managed the feat 60 times (10 of those coming in at 100 mph or better).
And just as a reminder as to how ready he is, there was yet another Triple-A home run turned in Tuesday.
As for how Anthony might fit on the big league roster, that conversation should have changed by now.
This isn't about waiting for an injury or executing a trade. Anthony is the priority, not finding current members of the Red Sox playing time. Send Ceddanne Rafaela to the minors. Send Rafaela to the infield, and let Kristian Campbell learn how to play first base in Worcester. Convince Rafael Devers to play third base, move Mayer to second and shortstop and let Anthony be the designated hitter. Take your pick.
The mantra coming from the front office dating back to spring training has been that their motivation is to put the best team they can on the field. It is inarguable that Anthony playing with the Boston Red Sox at this point in time is what represents the Sox' best-case scenario.
Others have had their chance. Now, Anthony has earned his.