Boston Red Sox Star Roman Anthony Leads Team USA to WBC Final

The 21-year-old outfielder is making his mark on the international stage after a breakout MLB debut season.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 5:03pm

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Roman Anthony, a rising star for the Boston Red Sox, has played a key role in leading Team USA to the championship game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Anthony hit a crucial home run in the semifinal win over the Dominican Republic, and he has been one of the top offensive performers for the U.S. squad throughout the tournament. This will be a full-circle moment for Anthony, who attended the 2023 WBC final as a fan before making his own appearance in the title game just three years later.

Why it matters

Anthony's success in the WBC is a testament to his rapid rise to stardom in Major League Baseball. After being drafted by the Red Sox out of high school in 2025, the 21-year-old outfielder made his MLB debut last season and immediately made an impact, hitting 8 home runs with 32 RBIs in 71 games. His performance in the WBC has only heightened expectations for the upcoming MLB season, where he will look to build on his breakout rookie campaign.

The details

In the semifinal win over the Dominican Republic, Anthony's fourth-inning home run proved to be the difference-maker, as Team USA held on for a 2-1 victory. Overall in the tournament, Anthony has been one of the U.S. squad's top offensive threats, hitting two home runs and driving in a team-high seven runs while posting a 1.014 OPS in seven games.

  • Anthony attended the 2023 World Baseball Classic final as a fan.
  • Anthony was drafted by the Boston Red Sox out of high school in 2025.
  • Anthony made his MLB debut with the Red Sox last season, hitting 8 home runs with 32 RBIs in 71 games.
  • Team USA will face the winner of Italy versus Venezuela in the 2026 World Baseball Classic final on Tuesday.

The players

Roman Anthony

A 21-year-old outfielder for the Boston Red Sox who is making his mark on the international stage with a standout performance in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Mark DeRosa

The manager of the U.S. national team, leading them to the World Baseball Classic final.

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What they’re saying

“I was actually at the last one, at the championship game, drove over with a few guys. So I got to experience that atmosphere. To be part of it as a fan -- I can tell you that being on the field is a whole lot better.”

— Roman Anthony

What’s next

Team USA will face the winner of Italy versus Venezuela in the 2026 World Baseball Classic final on Tuesday.

The takeaway

Roman Anthony's breakout performance in the 2026 World Baseball Classic is a testament to his rapid rise to stardom in Major League Baseball. After being drafted by the Boston Red Sox out of high school in 2025 and making his MLB debut last season, the 21-year-old outfielder is now leading Team USA to the championship game, just three years after attending the event as a fan.