The Boston Red Sox were one of the best teams in Major League Baseball in August. They went 17-11, the third-best record in baseball behind the Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies.
While it was a total team effort in August, two players stood above the rest and were recognized. Roman Anthony took home the American League Rookie of the Month award, while Aroldis Chapman was selected as the American League Reliever of the Month.
Anthony slashed .304/.390/.520 in the month. In his first 45 career games, he hit two home runs. When the calendar turned to August, the Red Sox rookie hit six home runs over 26 games. His average bat speed also increased from July to August, as did his “ideal attack angle.”
Anthony left Tuesday’s game against the Cleveland Guardians with left oblique tightness. He’s awaiting the results of an MRI and will likely miss some time as he recovers.
Chapman was named Reliever of the Month for his performance in August. He was dominant, appearing in 12 games without allowing a run. Not only did he not allow a run, but he faced 34 batters, and only one reached base via a walk.
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The Red Sox closer debuted in 2010. August 2025 was one of two months in his career during which one or fewer runners reached via hit or walk. The other month was August 2010, which consisted of his major league debut and no other outings. It’s hard to argue that Chapman has ever had a more dominant month than August 2025.
Chapman and Anthony will be key figures if the Red Sox want to make a deep postseason run. Red Sox fans will hold their breath until the results of Anthony’s MRI are revealed.
Featured image via Eric Canha/Imagn Images
