Red Sox Need 21-Year-Old Slugger to Play 142+ Games in 2026

ESPN sets lofty benchmark for Boston's young superstar Roman Anthony to stay healthy and lead the team's playoff push.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 4:38pm

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The Boston Red Sox are counting on 21-year-old slugger Roman Anthony to have a breakout season in 2026 after playing just 71 games as a rookie. ESPN's Bradford Doolittle has set a target of 142 games played for Anthony, which the Red Sox desperately need to reach the playoffs in a tough AL East division.

Why it matters

The Red Sox have built a contending roster, but they need Anthony to stay healthy and reach his superstar potential for the team to make a deep playoff run. With the competitive Yankees, Blue Jays, and Orioles in their division, the Red Sox can't afford to have Anthony miss significant time.

The details

Anthony was great in his limited action as a rookie, and the Red Sox are hoping he can take a massive leap forward in 2026. While the team has depth to withstand injuries, they need Anthony on the field as much as possible to maximize their chances of reaching the World Series.

  • Anthony played 71 games as a rookie in 2025.
  • The 2026 MLB season is set to begin in March.

The players

Roman Anthony

A 21-year-old superstar slugger for the Boston Red Sox who is expected to have a breakout season in 2026 after playing just 71 games as a rookie.

Bradford Doolittle

An ESPN writer who has set a target of 142 games played for Roman Anthony in the 2026 season.

Craig Breslow

The general manager who has built a contending roster for the Boston Red Sox heading into the 2026 season.

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What they’re saying

“Pivotal number: 71. That's the number of games Anthony played as a rookie. ... All signs are that Anthony is ready to explode on the American League. The Red Sox really need that number to double, at least. The forecasts like Boston's position entering the season. If the Red Sox win their way into a playoff slot, they need Anthony to be healthy then, too.”

— Bradford Doolittle, ESPN Writer

What’s next

The Red Sox will be closely monitoring Anthony's health and playing time throughout the 2026 season as they aim to reach the playoffs in a tough AL East division.

The takeaway

The Red Sox are banking on their 21-year-old superstar Roman Anthony to take a massive leap forward in 2026 and play a full season to help the team reach the playoffs and potentially the World Series. Staying healthy will be crucial for Anthony and the Red Sox to maximize their championship potential.