Fastball

Boston Red Sox Make Team History By Relying On Youthful Starting Lineup

With Roman Anthony joining Marcelo Mayer and Kristian Campbell on the MLB roster, the Boston Red Sox have committed to a youth movement unlike any other.

Sam Connon

Boston's top-three prospects in Marcelo Mayer, Kristian Campbell and Roman Anthony stand for the national anthem ahead of a Spring Training breakout game on March 13, 2025.
Boston's top-three prospects in Marcelo Mayer, Kristian Campbell and Roman Anthony stand for the national anthem ahead of a Spring Training breakout game on March 13, 2025. / WooSox Photo/Ashley Green / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox's so-called "Big Three" has finally arrived.

The Red Sox called up outfielder Roman Anthony ahead of Monday's series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays, immediately slotting him in as their starting right fielder. Anthony hit fifth, just ahead of second baseman Kristian Campbell and third baseman Marcelo Mayer.

Anthony, Campbell and Mayer were all top-12 prospects in baseball to open 2025. Campbell and Mayer were 22 when they debuted earlier this spring, while Anthony is freshly 21.

According to former director of media relations J.P. Long, Monday marked the first time the Red Sox started three position players under the age of 23 since Sept. 15, 2010. That day, first baseman Lars Anderson, center fielder Ryan Kalish and shortstop Yamaico Navarro were all in the lineup.

That was during September call-ups, though, featuring expanded rosters. The youthful group Boston trotted out Monday was tasked with taking on a division rival in early June.

Anderson, Kalish and Navarro combined for a career WAR of -1.9. It won't take much for the Big Three to clear that low bar, as Monday marked what fans and the front office alike hope is the start of a new era in Boston.

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Sam Connon
SAM CONNON

Sam Connon is a Staff Writer for Fastball on the Sports Illustrated/FanNation networks. He previously covered UCLA Athletics for Sports Illustrated/FanNation's All Bruins, 247Sports' Bruin Report Online, Rivals' Bruin Blitz, the Bleav Podcast Network and the Daily Bruin, with his work as a sports columnist receiving awards from the College Media Association and Society of Professional Journalists. Connon also wrote for Sports Illustrated/FanNation's New England Patriots site, Patriots Country, and he was on the Patriots and Boston Red Sox beats at Prime Time Sports Talk.

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