Roman Anthony may only have 71 big-league games under his belt, but the Red Sox outfielder is rapidly establishing himself as a star, particularly during his performance with Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Game-Winning Homer in WBC Semifinal

Anthony delivered a crucial moment for Team USA in their semifinal matchup against the Dominican Republic, hitting a solo home run in the top of the fourth inning that ultimately proved to be the game-winning run. The U.S. Advanced with a 2-1 victory.

“When I hit it, I kind of just blacked out,” Anthony told FOX Sports after the game. “I was, in my head, [saying], ‘Just please travel, please go.’”

Praise from Baseball Greats

Anthony’s performance has garnered attention from some of the biggest names in baseball. Alex Rodriguez compared him to legends like Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams, noting his “It Factor.” David Ortiz echoed this sentiment, praising Anthony’s work ethic and ability to learn.

“When you witness a kid like that, whether it’s Joe DiMaggio or Ted Williams or Derek Jeter or Big Papi, there are some people that just have the ‘It Factor’,” Rodriguez said.

Ortiz added, “That kid is a student of the game… He works hard, does everything the right way. He’s been a pro.”

A Late Addition to Team USA

Anthony wasn’t originally slated to participate in the World Baseball Classic. He was added to the roster in mid-February after Arizona Diamondbacks star Corbin Carroll suffered a broken hamate and was forced to withdraw.

Impressive WBC Stats

Through six tournament games, Anthony is batting .318 with two home runs, seven RBI and a 1.014 OPS. He is one of seven players age 22 or younger to hit a home run in this year’s WBC, and two of those belong to him.

Rookie Impact with the Red Sox

Anthony’s call-up to the Red Sox in June sparked a mid-season surge for the team. In 71 games, he batted .292 with eight home runs, 32 RBI, and an .859 OPS before an oblique strain ended his rookie season.

Looking Ahead

Now healthy, Anthony is expected to be a key player for the 2026 Red Sox. He’s already demonstrating his potential on the international stage with Team USA.

Whitlock Shines in Relief

Roman Anthony wasn’t the only Red Sox player to contribute to Team USA’s victory. Reliever Garrett Whitlock pitched a scoreless eighth inning, retiring the side in order against a potent Dominican lineup.

Team USA will face the winner of the Venezuela vs. Italy semifinal in the WBC final on Tuesday.