Can Payton Tolle or Connelly Early force their way into the Red Sox rotation?

"Two things can be true at the same time: Tolle has an excellent fastball, and Tolle can't throw his fastball 65% of the time. While the pitch is outstanding - 97 mph with a flat approach angle and 7.5 feet of extension - it was hit because opponents knew he had to throw it. In his second start, the Arizona Diamondbacks knew that he had nothing else, waited for fastballs, and hit the snot out of them."

"In 2024, Garrett Crochet put together a solid season using 54% four-seams and 28% cutters. He mixed in other pitches as well, but the two fastballs accounted for most of his arsenal. You can succeed with just two pitches, but you have to be able to locate them. Crochet spotted his cutter inside to righties and away from lefties consistently. Tolle's cutter heatmap looked more like a Rorschach test than a game plan. Against righties in particular, Tolle's cutters found the middle of the plate far too often."

Payton Tolle flashed an electrifying debut but failed to sustain that level across 2025, showing a dominant four-seam fastball without reliable secondary pitches or consistent command. The fastball averaged 97 mph with a flat approach angle and 7.5 feet of extension, but hitters exploited predictable usage when he leaned on it too often. Effective two-pitch pitchers like Garrett Crochet succeeded by locating a four-seam and cutter—spotting the cutter inside to righties and away from lefties. Tolle's cutter lacked consistent placement, frequently ending up over the middle, particularly against right-handed hitters. Multiple rotation options mean some pitchers will start the season in Worcester.

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