Roman Anthony Set to Join Team USA for World Baseball Classic, Highlighting Red Sox’s Global Presence
Roman Anthony’s star continues to rise - and now, it’s going international.
The 21-year-old outfielder is set to join Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, pending a physical scheduled for Saturday. Anthony will step in as an injury replacement for Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll, who recently went down with a broken hamate bone.
Assuming all goes smoothly with the physical, Anthony will be one of 12 Boston Red Sox players suiting up in the WBC, joining teammate Garrett Whitlock on the U.S. roster. That’s a staggering number of participants from one club, and it speaks volumes about the talent pipeline Boston has built - especially in the outfield.
For Anthony, this is a bit of a pivot from where things stood just a few weeks ago. After ending his rookie campaign with an oblique injury, the young slugger had previously downplayed the idea of playing in the WBC.
“I would say that’s out of play,” he said last month, noting that his focus was on recovery and preparation for his first full big league season. The decision to join Team USA now suggests that both he and the organization feel confident in his health heading into spring.
And that’s great news for fans of both the Red Sox and Team USA - because when Anthony is locked in, he’s one of the most electric young bats in the game.
Across 71 games last season, Anthony slashed .292/.396/.463, showing off a mature approach at the plate well beyond his years. He racked up 18 doubles, launched eight homers, and drove in 32 runs - all while flashing the kind of tools that made him a former No. 1 prospect in the system. His ability to drive the ball to all fields, get on base at a high clip, and play solid defense makes him a complete player - and one to watch closely this spring.
Still, there’s an understandable level of anxiety in Boston. The Red Sox are already dealing with a power shortage in their lineup, and Anthony is expected to be a key part of the solution.
Losing him to injury in a tournament before Opening Day would be a gut punch. But at the same time, there’s real value in seeing a young player like Anthony compete on a global stage.
The WBC offers high-intensity, playoff-like reps against top-tier competition - the kind of environment that can accelerate development and sharpen instincts.
Anthony’s presence on Team USA also underscores the Red Sox’s remarkable representation in this year’s WBC. In total, 12 players from Boston’s 40-man roster are expected to participate, covering a wide range of national teams. It’s a testament to the club’s international reach and the diversity of talent it’s assembled.
Red Sox Players in the 2026 World Baseball Classic:
- Roman Anthony - United States
- Garrett Whitlock - United States
- Jarren Duran - Mexico
- Wilyer Abreu - Venezuela
- Ranger Suarez - Venezuela
- Willson Contreras - Venezuela
- Masataka Yoshida - Japan
- Brayan Bello - Dominican Republic
- Greg Weissert - Italy
- Ceddanne Rafaela - Netherlands
- Jovani Moran - Puerto Rico
- Nate Eaton - Great Britain
That’s not just a few scattered names - that’s the entire projected Red Sox outfield participating in the WBC. From Duran to Yoshida to Rafaela and now Anthony, Boston’s outfielders will be logging meaningful innings before the MLB season even begins. It’s a rare and fascinating subplot heading into spring training.
The 2026 World Baseball Classic runs from March 5 to March 17, and for Red Sox fans, it’ll be a chance to see the future of the franchise on display across several continents. But for Roman Anthony, it’s more than just a showcase - it’s an opportunity to prove he belongs among the game’s elite, and a chance to bring his breakout momentum into a new season with sky-high expectations.
One thing’s for sure: all eyes will be on him.