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What Red Sox’ Alex Cora said Roman Anthony is working on to improve his throws from left field
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- What Red Sox’ Alex Cora said Roman Anthony is working on to improve his throws from left field
BOSTON — Left fielder Roman Anthony has struggled with both accuracy and strength on his throws so far this season.
The 21-year-old started in left field four of Boston’s first five games. But he has started at designated hitter in the team’s two games against San Diego this homestand.
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“There’s a few things that we have to be better (at) defensively and the kid knows it,” manager Alex Cora said before Saturday’s game against the Padres . “The other day there was a play, (Carlos) Correa was at second, base hit to left and we got to throw him out and he knows it.”
Christian Walker hit a 216-foot single directly to Anthony in left field on Tuesday. Anthony’s throw to home plate bounced twice. Catcher Connor Wong had to move to his left to catch it. Wong unsuccessfully dived to his right to try to tag out Correa.
Anthony has shown good range, being in the 74th percentile in outs above average. He has one defensive run saved in his 35 ⅓ innings. But he ranks in the seventh percentile in arm value.
His arm strength was in the 54th percentile (84.6 mph) last season.
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“It’s footwork,” Cora said. “His footwork has been off.”
Cora said Anthony has been working with outfield instructor Kyle Hudson on his footwork every day.
“The walkoff in Cincinnati is what it is. You rush,” Cora said. “The one with Correa, that ball tailed. And that’s kind of like playing catch. You catch it, good footwork, put the ball on the money and get him out.”
Anthony’s throw home on Dane Myers ’ walkoff RBI single in Cincinnati last Saturday bounced four times and was off line.
“We have to improve,” Cora said. “It’s not only him, it’s everybody. Jarren plays the ball really, really well here (in left). We’ll play him whenever we feel like it out there. But there’s stuff that we have to improve as a group, and that’s part of Roman’s development.”
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