As the Red Sox face the Yankees on June 8, 2025, top prospect Roman Anthony hits a 497-ft grand slam, putting the league on notice. A sign of what's to come?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Before the first pitch is even thrown at Yankee Stadium tonight, the biggest Red Sox highlight of the weekend may have already happened 200 miles away in Worcester. While the big-league club prepares for a tough rubber match against the rival Yankees, No. 1 prospect Roman Anthony sent a seismic shockwave through the farm system with a grand slam that has to be seen to be believed.
497 feet. That's the distance on the tape-measure grand slam from No. 1 Red Sox prospect Roman Anthony, a blast that has fans dreaming of his Fenway arrival.
The Worcester Red Sox shared the video on Sunday, and it's pure electricity. Roman Anthony, MLB's No. 2 overall prospect, turned on a pitch and launched it an astonishing 497 feet for a grand slam. It's the kind of raw power that changes games and franchises. For a Red Sox team sitting at 31-35, Anthony represents more than just a top prospect; he's a beacon of hope for a powerful lineup addition expected to arrive at Fenway Park later this season. Every jaw-dropping swing like this one only heightens the anticipation for his big-league debut.
Back in the present, the Red Sox face a daunting task in the Bronx. It's Sunday Night Baseball, the stage is set, and the series is tied 1-1 after two high-scoring affairs (a 9-6 Yankees win Friday, followed by a 10-7 Sox victory Saturday). Hunter Dobbins (2-1, 4.06 ERA) gets the ball for Boston, facing a tough assignment against Yankees ace Carlos Rodon, who has been dominant with an 8-3 record and a 2.49 ERA. The stakes are high, with bragging rights and a series win on the line.
While Vegas has the Yankees as heavy favorites, not everyone is convinced it's a lock. The data-driven SportsLine projection model, which simulates every game 10,000 times, has identified the Red Sox as a high-value bet tonight. The model is flagging the Sox money line at +180 and the run line (+1.5) as its top plays. It also likes the over on Hunter Dobbins' strikeouts (3.5). For fans looking for a reason to believe in an upset, the analytics suggest Boston has more than just a puncher's chance against their arch-rival.
Tonight's game in New York is a classic chapter in baseball's greatest rivalry, a tough test for a scrappy Red Sox team. But win or lose, Roman Anthony's monster home run serves as a powerful reminder: the future is bright, and it's coming fast. Tune in tonight to see if the current squad can pull off the upset and steal a series from the Yankees, fueled by a little inspiration from the next big thing.
