Red Sox Minor Lines 5/25: Roman Anthony continues hot streak

A meme like that Paul Rudd “look at us. Who would’ve thought? Not me.” except it’s just Roman Anthony, the number one prospect in baseball, talking to himself down in Worcester. It is curious, indeed, that Anthony remains in Triple-A following the promotion of his counterpart, Marcelo Mayer, and the great performance of his other minor league running mate, Kristian Campbell, but it’s a matter of time. In the mean time, he followed up the absolute missile with an exit velocity of 116 miles an hour he hit on Saturday with another two-hit day yesterday. Let’s get into it!

Worcester: W, 3-1 (BOX SCORE)

One day after a round-trip of being recalled from Worcester as the Red Sox’s 27th man for the double-header, not played following Lucas Giolito going seven strong Saturday night, and unceremoniously being sent down following the action, Cooper Criswell went two innings as the opener of what would eventually be considered a bullpen game. The pitching was sound; despite the Bulls (Rays AAA) scattering eight hits throughout the night, and never more than two in an inning. Worcester, in the mean time, had some help from who else but Roman Anthony. Newcomer Ryan Noda and Nathan Hickey scored on Anthony’s first of two hits, a two-out, bases-loaded RBI. Anthony, for what it’s worth, has now had hits in nineteen of the last twenty-one games he’s played in, a period of time where his batting average is approaching .400.

Portland: L, 3-5 (BOX SCORE)

Portland’s two through five hitters combined for all of Portland’s seven hits, Zach Ehrhard in particular had two doubles and scored on both of them, with three total runs on the night. Bad news, though: those were the only runs Portland scored all night, and Gabe Jackson and Chris Troye melted down, and the latter blew his second save of the season. It was part of a four-run ninth for Reading (Phillies AA), who rallied to stun the Sea Dogs.

Also, I believe I attended high school with the person who umped this game, so if anyone knows a Garret Griffin who umps for the Eastern League and can confirm or deny, that would be awesome. If so, small world and glad the lifelong passion of baseball is being followed!

Greenville: L, 0-5 (BOX SCORE)

Speaking of few players amounting to a team’s entire offense, Franklin Arias and Brooks Brannon each had multiple-hit nights for Greenville, but they were the only players with on-base appearances for the Drive (Brannon was also issued a walk.) This would be great if they were anywhere near each other in the lineup, but Arias led off and Brannon batted seventh. As good as Brannon was at the plate, he also committed one of Greenville’s two errors Saturday as Greenville allowed Bowling Green (Rays High-A) to cakewalk to an easy, rain-shortened win.

Salem: L, 5-7 (BOX SCORE)

Any night that your starter gets rocked for ten hits, you’re probably not walking out of the park with the win. Such was the case was Blake Aita against the Shorebirds, but you have to hand it to the 21-year old righty for gutting six full innings and eighty-six pitches without a walk despite getting papercut to death. Offensively, Freili Encarnacion notched his 13th double of the season.

Just want to give a special shoutout to my brother, who celebrates his 31st birthday today, and his first as a father. Happy birthday Jake, and to the rest of you, have a happy Monday and stay safe at your cookouts.