Anthony replaces Carroll on USA's World Baseball Classic roster

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Roman Anthony, who has already had a meteoric rise from MLB’s top prospect to emerging star for the Red Sox, will now get a chance to perform on the international stage.

The 21-year-old outfielder was named as an injury replacement for Team USA on Monday in next month’s World Baseball Classic, taking the roster spot vacated by D-backs outfielder Corbin Carroll (right hamate bone fracture).

After weeks of anticipation -- and monster home runs for Triple-A Worcester -- the Red Sox promoted Anthony to the Major Leagues on June 9 of last season.

Though his rookie season ended on Sept. 2 due to a left oblique strain, the gifted left-handed hitter made his presence felt, slashing .292/.396/.463 with eight homers and 32 RBIs in 71 games and 257 at-bats.

Heading into ‘26, Anthony is considered the top all-around hitter on the Red Sox, which is impressive considering his age and lack of experience.

Anthony will join teammate Garrett Whitlock in playing for Team USA.

Getting to spend time with the cast of position-player stars assembled on Team USA should benefit Anthony. The squad includes team captain Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, Cal Raleigh, Kyle Schwarber, Bobby Witt Jr. and Alex Bregman, who mentored Anthony when they were teammates last season.

Boston’s entire outfield/DH rotation will be playing in the Classic, as Jarren Duran (Mexico), Ceddanne Rafaela (Netherlands), Wilyer Abreu (Venezuela) and Masataka Yoshida (Japan) are also participating.

The temporary clearing out of Fort Myers by the outfield will give Kristian Campbell plenty of time to shine in Grapefruit League action. After winning AL Rookie of the Month last April, Campbell slumped mightily at the plate and was sent down to Triple-A Worcester for the rest of the season in June.

Campbell struggled at second base during his entry to the Majors last season, but the plan this season is to keep him in the outfield.

In all, the Sox organization has 14 players scheduled to participate in the international showcase, including two pitchers from their starting rotation in Brayan Bello (Dominican Republic) and Ranger Suárez (Venezuela). Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who was the general manager of Team Puerto Rico in 2017, has long been a supporter of the WBC.

“If the guys are healthy and they’re willing to play, we’re good with it,” Cora said recently.