Red Sox have concerning Roman Anthony problem before MLB postseason
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Roman Anthony looked primed for an MVP-type season in his first full year with the Boston Red Sox.
A partial tear of a tendon in his right finger in May put him on the IL for nearly four months, and he hasn't looked quite like himself since returning.
The Red Sox could use more production from Anthony in the postseason, wrote ESPN's Bradford Doolittle.
He tabbed the left-handed hitter's "injury-marred" season as the biggest disappointment of the year for the Red Sox.
"The injury-marred season by cornerstone outfielder Roman Anthony contributed to Boston's slow start, especially as the more established Jarren Duran struggled and continues to do so," Doolittle wrote.
In addition to his 104 OPS+, Anthony carries a 27% strikeout rate in 196 plate appearances.
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If Anthony can cut down the strikeouts and find the power stroke that helped him hit eight home runs during his rookie year, the Red Sox would be better off.
"Anthony looked capable of making a run at MVP this season after his 140 OPS+ and 3.3 bWAR over just 71 games at age 21. But Anthony has not just been less available because of injury; he also hasn't been as good when he has played, posting a 103 OPS+ thus far," Doolittle added.
Anthony is swinging a hot bat of late, with a four-game hit streak, a homer and three RBIs in his last five games.
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