Red Sox’s Roman Anthony Hit With Surprising Snub As ESPN Favors $7M A’s Star Despite Latest Blunder

Roman Anthony has firmly established himself as an elite Red Sox star, yet ESPN chose to spotlight a rookie from the Athletics, igniting debate amid the rookie’s costly recent mistake. Both players have been the talk of the 2025 season, but the timing of the $7 million star’s blunder adds fuel to the discussion.

The contrast is stark. Anthony’s Fenway debut transformed every at-bat into a must-see moment. From a jaw-dropping 497-foot grand slam in Triple-A to a consistent .292/.396/.463 major league line, he’s shown both promise and immediate impact. His season was marred by an oblique injury, which some believe cost him recognition.

Meanwhile, Athletics rookie Nick Kurtz has impressed despite inconsistency. In a 17-4 rout of the Angels, Kurtz crushed a 447-foot homer off a 95.9 mph heater—his first career home run. Yet hours later, he attracted attention for all the wrong reasons. Facing the Phillies, Kurtz hilariously struck out on a 32 mph pitch, whiffing at three floaters that had fans howling online. BET99 Ontario highlighted the moment: “Nick Kurtz whiffed at three 30+ MPH pitches and struck out .”

Despite this blunder, Kurtz continues making headlines. Jim Bowden ranks him the AL’s top rookie, praising his power and on-base skills through a .309/.403/.632 slash line, 29 homers, and a 4.4 fWAR. While his defense at first base lags, Bowden insists Kurtz’s bat justifies his favorite Rookie of the Year status. This has frustrated Red Sox fans, as Anthony, ranked second, remains overshadowed despite an equally impressive campaign.

 

Nick Kurtz whiffed at three 30+ MPH pitches and struck out pic.twitter.com/RsLBGeecnc

— BET99 Ontario (@BET99ON) September 8, 2025

The selection reflects MLB’s power-centric focus, where Kurtz’s highs overshadow Anthony’s balance and upside—qualities the Red Sox valued in locking Anthony to an eight-year, $130 million deal.

The debate questions whether prioritizing flash over consistency is right. Beyond awards, the greater concern is how the Red Sox can survive Anthony’s injury in their season’s most critical phase.

Red Sox still have a World Series path despite Roman Anthony’s injury

Anthony’s Grade 2 oblique strain cast doubt on Boston’s playoff hopes. Losing the talented rookie seemed a momentum killer. Yet insider David Schoenfield argues the team remains poised.

Thanks to depth and elite pitching from Lucas Giolito, Brayan Bello, Garrett Crochet, Aroldis Chapman (0.98 ERA), and Garrett Whitlock, the Red Sox can withstand close contests even without Anthony.

Schoenfield cites the Braves’ 2021 World Series win despite losing Ronald Acuña Jr. as a precedent, suggesting Boston need not panic. If Wilyer Abreu returns soon, he can reinforce defense and power, helping manager Alex Cora craft a resilient squad that wins collectively, not through a single star.

IL 2024: RED WINGS VS RED SOX APR 19th April 19th 2025: Worcester Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony 19 looks on during a game against the Rochester Red Wings. The Rochester Red Wings hosted the Worcester Red Sox in an International League game at Innovative Field in Rochester, New York. Jonathan Tenca/CSM Credit Image: Â Jonathan Tenca/Cal Media EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx ZUMA-20250419_zma_c04_414.jpg JonathanxTencax csmphotothree377052

Without Roman Anthony and Wilyer Abreu, the Red Sox’s outfield depth relies on a mix of players including Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela, Nate Eaton, and Rob Refsnyder. While this group is adequate for the final stretch of the regular season, their lack of experience and power could be a concern against the stronger lineups typical of October playoff baseball.

Ultimately, Boston sits squarely in “potential spoiler” territory, not among favorites. The team’s fate hinges less on Anthony’s recovery timeline and more on pitching and depth continuing their upward trends. Replicating July’s surge could turn this setback into a postseason rally.

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