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With widespread anticipation for the big league arrival of Roman Anthony, some have wondered whether the 20-year-old outfielder should see time at first base — a position where the Red Sox are thin — in order to open an additional pathway to the big leagues.
It’s not going to happen.
Why not? After all, future Gold Glove outfielder Cody Bellinger won National League Rookie of the Year honors as a 21-year-old in 2017 while spending the majority of his playing time at first base. So why aren’t the Red Sox contemplating a similar strategy for Anthony?
Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow offered his view.
“I think just given [Anthony’s] age, there’s still an opportunity for him to develop in the outfield. Until you feel like that’s in a place where there isn’t just a massive opportunity cost to taking reps away, that’s where he should be focused,” said Breslow. “And also, I think obviously, at some point he’s going to be impacting our major league team, and to throw another variable into the mix probably doesn’t make a ton of sense when that transition in and of itself can be difficult at times.
“So, try to simplify, try to keep him where he’s comfortable. And if that’s a conversation we need to have 10 years from now, then great.”
Alex Speier can be reached at alex.speier@globe.com. Follow him @alexspeier.
