116 mph homer AND potential HR robbery? MLB's No. 1 prospect stars at Triple-A

Roman Anthony reminded everyone why he’s the No. 1 prospect in baseball during Game 2 of Saturday’s doubleheader for Triple-A Worcester at Polar Park -- despite a 7-3 loss to Durham.

The 21-year-old outfielder wasted no time in his first at-bat, crushing a leadoff home run on the sixth pitch of the game. The long ball -- launched off an 84.8 mph slider left over the plate -- traveled 383 feet to right-center and left the bat at a scorching 116 mph, his hardest-hit ball of the season.

Now in his fourth professional season, Anthony continues to stand out for his ability to consistently drive the ball with authority. Among Triple-A hitters with at least 100 at-bats, he leads the level with a 95.4 mph average exit velocity and 26 barrels. (Statcast classifies a "barrel" as a ball hit with at least a 98 mph exit velocity in an optimal launch angle window.)

The left-handed hitter has lived up to his above-average hit and power tools, producing across the board for Worcester. The West Palm Beach, Fla., native is slashing .317/.452/.518 through 46 games, with 17 extra-base hits and more walks (42) than strikeouts (41).

Anthony also flashed his glove on Worcester's Military Appreciation Day. In the top of the third inning, Rays prospect Tristan Peters sent a deep fly ball to right-center. Anthony tracked it to the warning track and made a lunging catch while colliding with the wall -- a full-extension play that displayed his defensive instincts. Though he projects long-term as a corner outfielder, the Red Sox have continued to give him reps in center, where he’s shown flashes of brilliance.

Saturday was a significant day for the Red Sox organization, as MLB’s No. 8 prospect Marcelo Mayer was promoted from Triple-A. The club’s No. 2 prospect was called up following an injury to third baseman Alex Bregman and made his Major League debut that night at Fenway Park against the Orioles.

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With Bregman sidelined and Boston looking for a spark to stay in the playoff hunt in late May, Anthony’s array of tools could soon make him the next top prospect to join the mix.