Why Yasmani Grandal picked the Red Sox
Roman Anthony had no clue what Kristian Campbell was up to. Few did. When it came to the 22-year-old's contract extension talks, those who were in the loop could likely have been counted on one hand.
"He didn't, at least not with me or Marcelo (Mayer), I think," said Anthony when asked if Campbell tipped his hand at any time during spring training to either of his 2024 minor-league teammates. "I heard it like everyone else heard it. I saw it on Twitter. Good for him. He kept it private. I saw like 99 percent of the people saw it."
With no inclination that Campbell's eight-year, $60 million deal was in the works, Anthony didn't think much of what his own contractural existence might look like. But then, the rookie struck his deal ... with less than a week of Major League Baseball service time under his belt.
So, did the organization's financial aggression involving Campbell alter Anthony's mindset or situation when it came to his own possible contract extension? Talking to WEEI.com at Polar Park Sunday, it didn't appear that way.
"Not anywhere significant at all," said Anthony when asked about any progress regarding a new deal. "For me, it's not really anything I'm thinking about. I think those guys were probably pretty far along in the spring and going into the season, as far as my knowledge of it. But as far as mine goes, nothing."
The outfielder did, however, suggest there had been some communication between his representatives and the organization, albeit talks that weren't anywhere close to the levels experienced by Campbell and the Red Sox' other big contract extension priority, Garrett Crochet.
"It was mentioned," he said. "But to say there is anything ... I wouldn't say that. When I say this really wasn't anything. I think it was just simply a completely different situation for those guys. For me it's not really anything at all."
According to MLB Pipleline, Anthony sits as the No. 2 overall prospect, with the No. 1 spot going to current Dodger Roki Sasaki. The Worcester Red Sox outfielder is hitting .256 with an .884 OPS and two home runs, although that doesn't tell the whole story.
Only three minor-leaguers have hit more balls with an exit velocity of 100 mph this season. (Two of the three ahead of Anthony - Alex Freeland (26), and Nick Kurtz (19) - are playing in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.)
Anthony increased his total of balls hit 100 mph or better to 18 thanks to reaching the mark four times in his five at-bats, including a 103.1 mph single.