FORT MYERS, Fla. — Red Sox prospect Antonio Anderson grew up boxing and trained under Yahya McClain, the former trainer and ex-husband of Muhammad Ali’s daughter, Laila Ali.
“I used to actually travel around and box,” said Anderson during the Red Sox’s Fall Performance Program at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers in September. “He (McClain) trained me and I feel like boxing got me a long way and it’s who I am today, for sure.”
Anderson boxed from about age 8-15. He misses it, especially the aspect of it being “a one-man sport” and how “you can’t blame it on anyone” but yourself.
“That’s where I get my focus and poise (as a baseball player) from,” Anderson said.
The Red Sox drafted Anderson in the third round (83rd overall) in June out of North Atlanta High School in Georgia. The 18-year-old was committed to Georgia Tech but he instead signed with Boston for $1.5 million, well above his slot value of $846,000.
MLB Pipeline already ranks him Boston’s No. 14 prospect. Baseball America ranks him No. 18.
The 6-foot-3, 205-pound infielder had several notable people shape him into who he is today. He said Niko Goodrum — who has played in 402 major league games and appeared in 65 games for Triple-A Worcester this past season — helped “raise” him as a baseball player.
When Anderson was a young kid, his dad searched for batting cages where he could work on his swing.
“His (Goodrum’s) dad owned a cage in Fayetteville, Ga.,” Anderson said. “We ended up connecting, talking. And ever since then, we’ve been close. We’re like family now.”
Anderson’s MLB.com scouting report notes, “Scouts prefer the switch-hitting Anderson’s left-handed swing because he turns it loose more often than his right-handed stroke. He has a balanced approach, shows the ability to make adjustments and can handle breaking balls. With his bat speed and projected strength gains, he should develop at least 20-homer power.”
Anderson is a natural right-handed hitter but he began experimenting with a left-handed swing around 7 or 8 years old with the help of Goodrum.
“He got me into switch hitting also because he’s a switch hitter,” Anderson said. “I started young with him, looking up to him. He’s been helping me ever since.”
Anderson also gives credit to Loyd Thompson, an instructor/coach at Homeplate Baseball in Peachtree City, Ga. Thompson, who played four seasons in the Expos and White Sox minor league systems, encouraged Anderson to hit from the left side during games.
“He made me go left in a game against a righty every time,” he said. “And I thank him for that. And ever since then, I’ve been switch hitting.”
How has Anderson become a better hitter left-handed even though he’s naturally right-handed?
“It’s crazy but I see more righties in a game so I’m used to hitting lefty,” Anderson said. “I always touch up on my righty (swing). But I’m very consistent left-handed.”
Anderson prides himself on making contact.
“You can’t be a swing-and-miss guy because you’re not going to win a ballgame that way,” he said. “So I definitely focused on making contact first and then the power came after. So both together is a plus, plus, for sure.”
Anderson is selectively aggressive at the plate.
“If it’s in the strike zone and it’s a strike, I’m swinging no matter what, especially if it’s a fastball,” he said. “If I can see it and I can hit it, I’m going to hit it. Because nowadays, there’s some great pitchers out there and I don’t want to get down in the count with these pitchers.”
His MLB.com draft scouting report noted, “He has a chance to hit for power and average, though his future defensive home remains in question.”
“I’ve been at third base for right now. I’m loving it,” said Anderson, who was a high school shortstop. “Wherever the Red Sox need me, I’m playing.”
Anderson has the arm for third base and shortstop. He was a hard-throwing pitcher.
“My senior year I didn’t pitch at all but the hardest I ever threw was 95 (mph) up in Cary, N.C.,” Anderson said. “I was sitting around 91-92.”
Anderson, a self described “introvert,” also was a talented basketball player. Some colleges were interested in recruiting him as a two-sport athlete. But he decided to stop playing basketball to focus on baseball as a junior in high school.
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His parents, meanwhile, have encouraged him to learn the business side of baseball. He aspires to be a baseball agent when his playing career ends. His agent, Reggie Jefferson, became an agent after his nine-year big league career. Jefferson played for the Red Sox from 1995-99.
Vernon Wells, Gary Sheffield and Roy Oswalt are other retired big leaguers who went on to become agents.
“I definitely want to stay on the baseball side after I’m done with my career,” he said. “So that’s definitely one thing I probably might do.”
What does Anderson want to work on this offseason?
“Definitely staying consistent with my bat,” he said. “Getting more power, more bat speed. There’s definitely room for that. And definitely getting stronger, having a great, physical body coming into next season.”
Other stories from the Red Sox’s Fall Performance Program
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Red Sox prospect plays with Pedroia ‘mentality,’ saw ‘08 MVP just miss feat
‘Muscular’ Red Sox C prospect has ‘5 hole’ power, cool reason for catching
New Red Sox OF prospect beat cancer, cousin ‘saved’ his life with tackle
Red Sox’ Xander Bogaerts comp pick ‘a tough out,’ ‘elite’ in important area
Top Red Sox prospect with ‘best’ fastball (98 mph) studies Justin Verlander
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Red Sox power-hitting C prospect read Ted Williams’ book ‘a million times’
Red Sox’ Nate Eovaldi comp pick went ‘straight to’ mall after being drafted
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