The Boston Red Sox have received mixed reviews from experts on the strength of their farm system in recent years.
Boston has a deep pool of position players, particularly middle infielders, that are highly praised. But the farm doesn't address the club's biggest need, year in and year out — starting pitching.
The Red Sox's first-year chief baseball officer hopes to change that. Craig Breslow is looking to boost Boston's pitching program, and his first draft as the man in charge already shows clear changes from the previous administration's plan.
Breslow selected pitchers with the Sox's second- and third-round picks, Nos. 50 and No. 85. Payton Tolle and Brandon Neely are Boston's two highest-drafted pitchers since it chose Tanner Houck in the first round in 2017, first reported by Alex Speier of The Boston Globe.
Craig Breslow's first Red Sox draft approach is a change of pace from previous administrations
The selections of Tolle (No 50) and Neely (86) represent the *two* highest pitcher picks for the Sox since Houck in 2017. They hadn’t picked a pitcher above No 99 in the last six drafts.
— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) July 15, 2024
The Red Sox's striking lack of starting pitching depth came to light after Lucas Giolito's season ended before it even started. Boston's biggest offseason addition needed Tommy John surgery and two rotation spots needed filling before the start of the season.
Breslow's talent for spotting pitchers showed through in the emergence of Cooper Criswell. The righty was nearly unheard of before he took up a spot in Boston's rotation and logged a 2.86 ERA in eight starts.
Tolle and Neely have received mixed opinions from scouts on their potential to stick it out as starters. Tolle was a two-way player in college but the Red Sox plan to develop him exclusively as a pitcher. He'll need to work on his command before he takes to a big league rotation.
The two hurlers are a long way from the big leagues, but Breslow's picks are a sign of a new beginning in Boston. The Red Sox organization hasn't been renowned for developing pitchers, but a new CBO who brings different priorities and deeper pitching infrastructure could change that.