FORT MYERS, Fla. — Roman Anthony will start the regular season as the Boston Red Sox leadoff hitter, a decision made clear by manager Alex Cora’s straightforward reasoning. The veteran skipper values Anthony’s ability to either score quickly or deliver valuable at-bats to set the game’s pace.
Why Roman Anthony Is the Chosen Leadoff Hitter
Anthony, just 21 years old, showed promise as a rookie in 2025 by starting 27 games in the leadoff spot. He collected 37 hits in 110 at-bats for a .336 batting average, accompanied by a .439 on-base percentage and .564 slugging percentage, resulting in an impressive 1.003 OPS. He contributed six home runs, five doubles, one triple, 17 RBIs, and scored 26 runs from the leadoff position.
In 27 plate appearances leading off games, Anthony went 8-for-25 (.320) with two home runs, one walk, and was hit by a pitch once. His ability to get on base and impact the game early aligns with Cora’s strategy.
It can be 1-0 very quick or it’s a quality at-bat,
Cora explained.
Setting the Tone Like Established Stars
Manager Cora also compared Anthony’s role to past Red Sox leadoff hitters, noting the examples of George Springer and Mookie Betts.
George Springer, Mookie Betts, they’ve done it before,
Cora said. Set the tempo.
Anthony’s success at leading off innings last season further supports the decision, as he went 22-for-69 (.319) with four home runs and five doubles in those situations, highlighting his consistency at getting the offense started.
Versatility in the Lineup Last Season
Beyond leading off, Anthony showed flexibility by appearing in multiple batting order positions last year. He started 21 games batting third, 13 games second, four games fifth, and one game as cleanup hitter, demonstrating his adaptability within the lineup.
Upcoming Season Opener and Lineup Structure
Roman Anthony will take the leadoff spot for the Red Sox in their season opener this Saturday at 1:05 p.m. The game will be a road matchup against the Minnesota Twins at Hammond Stadium, part of the Grapefruit League schedule.
Alex Cora has also set the cleanup hitter role for the season, confirming in January that Willson Contreras will bat in that position, completing key elements of the Red Sox batting order going into the new campaign.
