The Boston Red Sox's starting rotation has been worn thin as the postseason approaches. A string of injuries to Tanner Houck, Richard Fitts and Dustin May, and the team's sudden release of Walker Buehler have forced it to dip into its top prospect pool to get through the year.
Connelly Early is the latest arm to answer the call, and his debut made Boston's rotation woes look small. The 23-year-old lefty posted five shutout innings against the A's in Sacramento on Tuesday, he let up five hits and racked up 11 strikeouts.
Early's 11 K's tie Don Aase for the Red Sox's franchise record for the most ever thrown in a debut. His first game in the big leagues may have been his best yet — Early has never clocked 11 strikeouts in a single outing in college or professional ball. He also collected 19 swings and misses. The only other Red Sox pitcher to reach that mark this season is Garrett Crochet (subscription required).
Early isn't the only top pitching prospect to dazzle with Boston down the stretch. The Sox called their No. 2 prospect Payton Tolle up to debut on August 29, and his performance also stunned. Tolle posted 5.1 three-hit, two-run innings and fanned eight Pirates. He faltered in his next start and let five Diamondbacks score in three innings, but his talent is undeniable.
Early punches out the side! pic.twitter.com/BYmbCKMp7E
— Red Sox (@RedSox) September 10, 2025
Connelly Early's stellar MLB debut has Red Sox fans dreaming about 2026 rotation
Early and Tolle's debuts have Red Sox fans dreaming about what the team's 2026 rotation will look like. Early has posted two full seasons of professional baseball and Tolle is in his first. They'll be incredible additions to the Sox's staff during their first full years in the big leagues, which could be as soon as next year.
If Early and Tolle make the Red Sox's roster out of spring training next season, here's what their rotation could look like, not necessarily in this order:
- Garrett Crochet
- Brayan Bello
- Payton Tolle
- Connelly Early
- Offseason addition (potential reunion with Lucas Giolito or trade for Joe Ryan) OR Kutter Crawford, Hunter Dobbins, Patrick Sandoval or Kyle Harrison
Crochet is in the mix for the American League Cy Young Award with his 2.57 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 228 strikeouts in 185.1 innings. Brayan Bello has flashed clear No. 2 starter potential this season, just as the Red Sox hoped he would. He's posted a 3.12 ERA over 152.2 innings on the year.
Early and Tolle have excellent potential, as does Boston's fifth rotation spot. Lucas Giolito has been rock solid since an ugly start to the season, with a 3.38 ERA over 130.1 frames. If he pitches 140 innings this season, he voids a vesting option in his contract that would give the Red Sox control of him for 2026, and he could elect free agency. Boston could re-sign him, or trade for its ultimate deadline target, Twins All-Star Joe Ryan.
The Red Sox also have plenty of homegrown options who could fill the fifth spot, which is something the team hasn't been able to boast for quite some time. Careful drafting by former and current chief baseball officers Chaim Bloom and Craig Breslow seems to finally be paying off for Boston's pitching staff. The Red Sox would be in deep trouble this season if it weren't for Fitts, Dobbins, Tolle and Early answering the call after injuries.