Red Sox and Royals Holding Back Roman Anthony and Jac Caglianone- Here’s Why

The demands for Roman Anthony and Jac Caglianone to debut in the major leagues are louder with each passing day. In Boston, where the Red Sox have gotten off to a 27-31 start, they are crying out for Anthony, the franchise's best prospect, to ignite a struggling outfield.

In Kansas City, the Royals are counting down the days until Caglianone, the minor league's top power hitter, arrives to bolster an offense in desperate need of a spark. But as the pressure mounts, both players remain in waiting for their call-up to the big leagues. So why haven't they been called up yet?

What was uncertainty of relying on Rookies

Neither team is waiting for talent, but timing. The Red Sox and Royals are both aware of the unpredictability of rookies regardless of how highly rated they are.

Baseball by its nature is a game of unknowns, particularly regarding young players. Roman Anthony and Caglianone have both been excellent minor leaguers this year, but history indicates that not every rookie can come in and play at the major league right away.The Red Sox, for one, are well-acquainted with the volatility of rookie seasons. With Anthony, shortstop Marcelo Mayer, and infielder/outfielder Kristian Campbell, Boston was projected to have one of the most electric young core rotations in baseball.

Campbell, a roster member on Opening Day, began well and appeared to be a budding star, but his recent slide of 9-for-79 with the worst OPS in the league is a reminder of the dangers of relying too early on younger players. Also Read: Tree “A Lot Better Than Us”: After Getting Swept, Alex Cora Admits Red Sox Were No Match For Brewers

Boston Red Sox and Kansas City Royals prefer development over instant impact

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow broke down the difficulty of counting on rookies. "It's very hard to anticipate that a guy is going to succeed right away," he said. "You're taking these long-term probabilistic guesses that players who have played as well as Kristian, Marcelo, and Roman have are going to be productive major leaguers.

Does it do that in Week 1, Month 1.

The fact is that even the most gifted prospects require time to blossom. Pushing a player such as Anthony or Caglianone to the majors too quickly before they are ready can be harmful to their careers and the future of the team. The Red Sox, for instance, are prioritizing making sure their young players are developmentally ready, instead of pushing them into the stress of a major league lineup where they could underperform and lose confidence.The Royals are in the same boat. Though Caglianone has been a beast in the minor leagues, whether or not he is promoted will be a cautious evaluation of his preparedness. Hurrying a guy like Caglianone can give an instant jolt, but it may also result in some growing pains. The management of the team understands the value of a player's long-term growth above quick results.The Red Sox and Royals are both aware that their best prospects will get their chance, but it is only going to be when they are ready. These players must be patient and allow their talents to mature to bring value to their teams for many years.