Red Sox' Roman Anthony on recent noise; ‘That’s what makes (Boston) such a fun place to play'

Red Sox prospect Roman Anthony, who Baseball America ranks No. 2 on its Top 100 list, said he didn’t know about a Boston radio show host this week questioning his defense and suggesting he might eventually become a DH. The clip was posted on X and drew some engagement with 286 replies and several more opinionated quote tweets as of Saturday morning.

When told about the viral clip, the 20-year-old outfielder was unfazed.

Roman Anthony is vying for an Opening Day roster spot in Boston. (Photo by Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)Boston Globe via Getty Images

Does he understand this kind of noise happens in Boston? Is he prepared to face some criticism, even sometimes wild opinions from radio/media personalities and fans?

“I think they (the Red Sox) do a pretty good job here of kinda letting us know pretty early and taking us through everything and teaching us about what goes on in Boston. But I think that’s what makes it such a fun place to play — is that people care so much and that people are constantly talking," Anthony said Saturday morning in the JetBlue Park clubhouse. “I know at least for myself, I love proving people wrong. I love feeding off of that. And I love the fact that Boston fans are always, even regardless of where your team is at or the record, they’re always passionate.

“They’re always there and they hold us to a standard. And I love that,” Anthony added. “I think playing in Boston, you’re playing meaningful baseball 24/7. So just taking on challenges like that is something I’m super excited to be a part of and to learn about when I’m actually there. Obviously, I haven’t been there yet, so I can’t speak on it. But it’s something that I’m excited to take on.”

Anthony said he has learned a lot from the veterans this spring. He said Alex Bregman “has really gone out of his way to take some time and get to know” him and Boston’s other two top prospects, Marcelo Mayer and Kristian Campbell. Baseball America ranks Campbell No. 4 on its Top 100 list. It has Mayer at No. 15.

Anthony also has gotten close with veteran starting pitcher Walker Buehler.

“Just talking to him, picking his brain,” Anthony said. “So I think when you have guys like that who have done it at the highest level, who have won, who are winners and do expect to win, it changes the vibe in the clubhouse. The guys that we have here — the leaders we have here — they want to win, right? And we’re expected to win. That’s the standard we’re held to. So I think just coming in here and learning from them and how they go about their day and how passionate they are about winning, that’s the biggest thing for us.

“And I think for us three in particular just learning that at a really young age, and then implementing that into our game and to our work every day,” Anthony added. “And just getting as close as we can to everybody in this locker room because the goal is to win.”

So what is he working on defensively with outfield coordinator Kyle Hudson?

 “I think it’s just all about the pre-pitch stuff and getting your jumps right,” Anthony said. “And then continuing to work every day with Huddy here. He’s been great to me. We really dive in deep to everything after every game. So I think it’s just being versatile. Just continuing to try and get faster, get better jumps, get a better pre-pitch routine. And continuing to lock that in is huge for me. Because I think now, when I step on the field, I’m not the fastest guy, but I think getting good reads and good jumps and obviously knowing the offense you’re facing is huge. But it’s a work in progress every single day.

“And it’s something that I really, really want to take pride in,” Anthony added about his defense. “And I think being really good at the little things is the biggest thing for me. Like I said, not the fastest guy, but getting great jumps, just the little things. I think that’s the biggest thing and that’s how you become a great defender and it’s something that I’m really looking forward to taking on.”