The Boston Red Sox's starting rotation could be nearly unrecognizable by Opening Day. Garrett Crochet will, of course, still lead the bunch as the ace, but Ranger Suárez, Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo will join him in Boston for the first time.
Those four pitchers are more than likely locked into their rotation spots for this coming season, barring any injuries that could change things. The final rotation spot could go to Brayan Bello, who took huge steps forward over the last two seasons to become a reliable and effective arm among Boston's starters.
Like the rotation in general, Bello is embracing a new look for his arsenal. The 26-year-old has refined the curveball in his repertoire with the help of Suárez, who has one among his offerings. With it, he boasted 24.5 whiff percentage and .192 batting average against in 2025.
“I always talk to him. We play catch together. So I was telling him that I was trying a new grip on my changeup, and he was telling me that it was good. And also I was asking for some advice on how to release the ball," Bello said of working with Suárez (via Lauren Campbell of MassLive).
Brayan Bello and Payton Tolle both add curveballs to their arsenals as the Red Sox continue to revamp their rotation
Bello has been working on his curveball since signing with the Red Sox in 2017, but he hasn't thrown it consistently over his career. With enough practice, it could join his arsenal alongside his "disgusting" sinker (in Gray's words), sweeper, cutter, changeup and four seamer.
Top Red Sox pitching prospect Payton Tolle is also working on a curveball to deepen his library of pitches. His fastball, the best of his offerings, peaks at around 99 miles per hour and the rest of his arsenal needs work to make the fastball as effective as possible. Still, any new pitches are intriguing.
"Just trying to add wrinkles. We talked a lot about velo separation last year and this is another something we can throw at hitters to where they can't just be ready for a fastball and cutter which are going to be hard pitches," Tolle said to NESN.
Tolle's secondary pitches need enough work to catch up to his fastball that he'll probably start the upcoming season in Triple-A. He could be a weapon later in the season and during a playoff chase, though, and any new additions to his arsenal will be welcome after his cup of coffee in the major leagues last summer.
New-look Bello and Tolle will be fantastic additions to Boston's rotation in 2026 and down the line. Gray is only under contract for one season and Tolle could easilt step into his place in the rotation with a flashy new curveball and improved secondaries. Bello has already established himself as a capable major league starter, but adding more pitches to his list will help him assert himself in the Sox's ever-growing group of starting pitchers and keep opposing hitters on their toes.