Red Sox Outfielder Still Bitter Over MLB Draft Snub

Roman Anthony's 2022 draft slide fuels his rise to the majors.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 7:55pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a baseball player's batting motion, with sharp planes of color and overlapping perspectives conveying a sense of raw athletic energy and determination.A cubist interpretation of a young baseball player's determined swing, reflecting the drive and ambition that can arise from perceived slights.San Diego Today

Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony, now 22 years old, is still using his 2022 MLB Draft snub as motivation after being selected in the second round instead of the first round as he had expected. Anthony has quickly risen through the minors and made his MLB debut in 2025, but still harbors resentment towards the scouts who passed on him in the draft.

Why it matters

Anthony's story highlights how perceived slights and disappointments can drive young athletes to exceed expectations and reach the highest levels of their sport. His rapid ascent to the majors also showcases the Red Sox's talent evaluation and player development capabilities.

The details

Leading up to the 2022 MLB Draft, Anthony believed he deserved to be a first-round pick, but was ultimately selected in the second round by the Red Sox. He admitted that the scouts' assessments that led to his draft slide angered him, saying 'You see the area scouts that, for whatever reason, told you that you weren't a first-rounder and kinda just look at them now and you're like, 'Huh. I think you missed a little bit on that.'' Despite the draft disappointment, Anthony has flourished in the Red Sox organization, making his MLB debut in 2025 and emerging as a potential star.

  • Anthony was selected by the Red Sox in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft.
  • He made his MLB debut with the Red Sox in 2025, just three years after being drafted.

The players

Roman Anthony

A 22-year-old outfielder for the Boston Red Sox who was selected in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft, despite believing he deserved to be a first-round pick.

Boston Red Sox

The MLB team that drafted Anthony in the second round in 2022 and has seen him quickly rise through their minor league system to make his major league debut in 2025.

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What they’re saying

“You see the area scouts that, for whatever reason, told you that you weren't a first-rounder and kinda just look at them now and you're like, 'Huh. I think you missed a little bit on that.'”

— Roman Anthony, Red Sox Outfielder

What’s next

Anthony will look to get back on track on Friday when the Red Sox take on the San Diego Padres at home.

The takeaway

Roman Anthony's rapid rise to the majors after being passed over in the 2022 MLB Draft demonstrates how perceived slights can fuel an athlete's drive to exceed expectations. His story highlights the Red Sox's talent evaluation and player development capabilities, as well as the importance of maintaining a chip on one's shoulder.