Red Sox pencil in Roman Anthony at leadoff as Marcelo Mayer, Kristian Campbell battle for roster spots

Anthony, 21, is set to be the focal point of the lineup and will serve as the tone-setter to open the season.

Feb. 21, 2026 at 8:07pm

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When the Red Sox open the 2026 season in Cincinnati, Roman Anthony will step into the batter's box as Boston's leadoff hitter. Anthony, 21, is set to be the focal point of the lineup and will serve as the tone-setter to open the season. The young outfielder moved into the leadoff spot over the final 21 games last year before an oblique injury on Sept. 2 cut his season short.

Why it matters

Anthony's rapid ascent has been undeniable. Despite playing just 71 games, he finished third in American League Rookie of the Year voting, earned a spot on Team USA's World Baseball Classic roster, and was ranked by MLB Network as the second-best left fielder entering 2026. His move to the leadoff spot signals a shift in the Red Sox lineup as they look to build around their young star.

The details

In the final 21 games of the 2025 season, Anthony went 37-for-110 (.336) with a .439/.564/1.003 slash line, launching six home runs with five doubles, one triple, 17 RBI, and 26 runs scored. In 27 plate appearances leading off games, he hit 8-for-25 (.320) with two home runs, one walk, and one hit-by-pitch. Alex Cora is opting for Anthony over Jarren Duran, who is expected to hit lower in the order.

  • Anthony moved into the leadoff spot over the final 21 games of the 2025 season.
  • Anthony suffered an oblique injury on Sept. 2, 2025 that cut his season short.

The players

Roman Anthony

A 21-year-old outfielder for the Boston Red Sox who is set to be the focal point of the lineup and serve as the tone-setter to open the 2026 season.

Alex Cora

The manager of the Boston Red Sox who has decided to pencil in Roman Anthony as the team's leadoff hitter to open the 2026 season.

Jarren Duran

An outfielder for the Boston Red Sox who is expected to hit lower in the order than Roman Anthony.

Willson Contreras

A catcher acquired by the Boston Red Sox in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals, who is expected to hit cleanup for the team.

Marcelo Mayer

A 23-year-old prospect for the Boston Red Sox who is in the mix to start at either second or third base, but does not have a guaranteed job on the 2026 Opening Day roster.

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What they’re saying

“George Springer, Mookie Betts — they've done it before. Kyle Schwarber, too. It can be 1-0 very quick, or it's a quality at-bat.”

— Alex Cora, Manager

“I know Willson (Contreras, acquired last month in a trade with St. Louis) will probably hit fourth. I know that one.”

— Alex Cora, Manager

“For the first time in years, I don't know how we're going to do it.”

— Alex Cora, Manager

What’s next

The Red Sox open Grapefruit League play on Saturday afternoon, giving players a clear runway to stake their claim for a spot on the 2026 Opening Day roster. One notable name without a guaranteed job is Marcelo Mayer, who is in the mix to start at either second or third base.

The takeaway

The Red Sox are building their lineup around the young star Roman Anthony, who will lead off and set the tone for the team in 2026. This shift signals a new era for the franchise as they look to develop their talented core of young players like Anthony, Mayer, and Contreras.