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Red Sox’ Roman Anthony has wowed manager, veteran teammates during WBC
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- Red Sox’ Roman Anthony has wowed manager, veteran teammates during WBC
MIAMI — On a star-studded Team USA roster in the World Baseball Classic, Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony is the new kid, easily the youngest and least experienced player of the bunch.
But in a short period of time, he’s made a huge impression.
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“Twenty-one years old and totally gets it,” said Team USA manager Mark DeRosa before his team took on the Dominican Republic in the WBC semi-finals at LoanDepot Park. “I love his moxie, I love his makeup, the quality of at-bat. He doesn’t come outside the zone. Super impressive.
“I expect him to have a meteoric career.”
Anthony was a late addition to the Team USA roster, chosen to replace Arizona outfielder Corbin Carroll , who suffered a hand injury early in spring training. Spurred by a recommendation from Alex Bregman , Anthony was chosen to fill Carroll’s spot.
Even before Sunday night, Anthony had made an impact, too, slashing .316/.435/.474 with a homer and six RBIs in pool play and the quarterfinals. He then added a solo homer in the fourth inning Sunday, putting Team USA up 2-1. The homer came off lefty reliever Gregory Soto .
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Two-time National League MVP Bryce Harper has been equally impressed by Anthony.
“He’s got so much aura...incredible,” said Harper with a chuckle. “It’s been fun. He’s a stud man. He’s so much fun to watch play. He and Bobby (Witt Jr.) are going to lead the way for this (Team USA) for a long time and Gunnar Henderson , same thing. This game is in such a good place with young guys. They’re guys who love the game of baseball; he plays in such a big market, too, in Boston .
“To have this kind of success in his career, this early, it’s been a lot of fun to watch. I can’t say enough about him. He works hard, does everything the right way. He’s a pro. It’s been a lot of fun to watch him here and play with him.”
“Me and Harper have been joking around (that) Bobby and Roman are going to be representing (Team) USA for the next 10 or 15 years,” added Aaron Judge , who’s won three AL MVP awards. “Hopefully, when we’re the old guys here in a couple of years, they’ll still want us on the team.
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“Roman’s a class act — to be 21 years old and doing what he’s doing on the biggest stage in baseball, every single night...I see him in the cage, he’s watching Bryce and asking questions. He’s watching Bobby. It’s the coolest thing to see, at such a young age to ask questions and be observant like that and just trying to get better. The Red Sox definitely have a good one in him."
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