Player development isn’t just science—it’s art, and the Red Sox seem to be finger-painting with their eyes closed. While MLB keeps cranking out elite prospects like factory models, Boston’s recent handling of its rising stars borders on reckless. Kristian Campbell’s tumble wasn’t just predictable—it was preventable. And if Rafael Devers’ situation is any clue, the next masterpiece of mismanagement might already be sketched in pencil.

The Red Sox have already made a mess of things by having a clash with Devers. At least, they might not be having an ego clash now, but they might be promoting Roman Anthony too soon, and that might be more of a problem than imagined. Because the last time they did this, they got Campbell, and things did not go well.

Anthony is finally in the major leagues. He had big hype coming into the game, and it is too early to tell if he will be a great player, but if he follows the advice he is getting, he surely will not be another Kristian Campbell. In an article by MLB insider Sean McAdam, he said, “Campbell and Holliday are living proof — and Mayer and Anthony may soon join them — that along the path from the minors to the majors, that last step is a doozy.”

When the Red Sox promoted Campbell early, the spotlight burned hotter than the Fenway lights. He burst out of the gates, earning AL Rookie of the Month honors for March and April. But the magic faded fast—since May 4, Campbell’s OPS has plummeted to .471 with just four extra-base hits in 114 at-bats. Overloaded mentally and miscast at first base, his confidence unraveled before Boston’s eyes.

Anthony now stands on the same tightrope, one shaky step from freefall. Like Campbell, he’s young, hyped, and raw—but that doesn’t mean he’s ready. Scouts are urging patience and warning against rushing him or experimenting under pressure. The message: don’t drown the kid in expectations before he learns how to swim.

If the Red Sox repeat history, Anthony’s ascent could stall before it truly begins. Mishandling could dent his development, turning promise into panic and tools into turmoil. But with the right timing and support, he can grow into the star Boston craves. The difference between stardom and setback might come down to what they learned—or didn’t—from Campbell.

Player development isn’t guesswork, but Boston’s recent choices feel like darts thrown in the dark. If Campbell was the cautionary tale, Anthony can’t afford to be the sequel. The Red Sox can’t keep lighting fires and acting surprised when their prospects burn out. Either they learn to manage talent, or they’ll keep manufacturing mayhem instead of stars. And at this point, Fenway might need more therapists than hitting coaches.

If Red Sox send Roman Anthony back, they might have messed up everything for him

Some gambles age like fine wine. Others? Like milk in the sun. The Red Sox might be about to learn which kind they uncorked with Roman Anthony. In a league obsessed with fast-tracking talent, Boston’s golden boy was pushed up the ladder faster than he could settle in. Now, with whispers of a demotion, the front office may be turning a bold leap into a costly stumble. Anthony’s meteoric promotion stunned Red Sox fans after he slashed .288/.423/.491 with 10 homers in Triple‑A. His jaw‑dropping 497‑foot grand slam only amplified expectations. Boston’s front office fast‑tracked their golden boy into the spotlight with barely a pause for breath.

But after just three MLB games, he’s 0‑for‑4 with one RBI and a costly error on a 111.2 mph liner. Suddenly, whispers of a demotion swirl amid Boston’s crowded outfield and cautious service‑time strategy. A misstep now, so the chatter goes, could derail both confidence and career trajectory. If the Red Sox send him back, they risk smothering his momentum and denting his psyche. A demotion might stall his development clock and chip away at the hype built on his spectacular Triple‑A metrics. Worse, premature mothballing could flinch the Red Sox out of a generational talent.

And here lies the fork in the Fenway dirt—nurture the future or second-guess the present. If the Red Sox blink now, they’re not just sending Anthony down—they’re sending a message. That hype has a shelf life, and belief is conditional. For a franchise that once broke a curse, they might be brewing a new one. And this time, it’s not Bambino—it’s bad judgment.