Red Sox Veterans Offers Big Praise To Newly Extended Roman Anthony

Boston Red Sox fans will watch Roman Anthony grow for nearly the next decade. As two teammates told it, the rookie is already wise beyond his years.

Anthony signed an eight-year extension Wednesday that includes a club option for 2034. The outfielder received a $130 million contract (not including escalators) after notching an .809 OPS in his first 47 games.

Anthony appears to have made a strong early impression in the Red Sox clubhouse. Trevor Story, a 32-year-old shortstop entering his 10th season, marveled over the newcomer’s maturity to MassLive’s Chris Cotillo.

“Just the way he carries himself is the biggest thing,” Story said. “It’s almost like he’s a 10-year vet in a 20-year-old’s body with his mindset. Very advanced, very locked in to being a great baseball player.

“I’ve been out to dinner with him a few times and you forget, he couldn’t even have a drink with us (then),” Story added. “You think, this guy is way ahead of his years when it comes to the way he acts, the way he speaks.”

Story recalled Anthony inquiring about his strength and conditioning routines.

“He was asking me a lot about my body guys and all my prep stuff to get ready to go out there and be healthy,” Story said. “I think that was a big conversation he was really into because he wants to do it for a long time and I think he understands it starts now, when he’s young, so that you don’t have a lot of stuff to unwind when you get older. That was a pretty advanced thing you don’t see many younger guys asking.”

Rob Refsnyder also lauded Anthony’s advanced plate approach and curiosity off the field. The 34-year-old said the 21-year-old asked him about balancing his career with raising a family.

“I think that speaks volumes when older guys like us really enjoy being around him,” Refsnyder said. “I don’t think you could ask for a better routine, how he approaches being a rookie in the big leagues and how respectful he is of everyone’s time. He’s the real deal.”