"He's Connolly Early, and he hails from the old coal-mining town of Midlothian, Virginia, west of Richmond. Despite Midlothian having a population under 20,000, it's punched above its weight culturally, being the hometown of 90s alt rocker Aimee Mann and serving as the inspiration for the setting of Donnie Darko. Midlothian, quite evidently, must be emo as shit."
"Early was the Red Sox' fifth round pick (and seventh in total) in the 2023 draft, back when the Chaim Bloom-led front office was shying away from pitchers in the early rounds and focusing on lower-ceiling college arms who demonstrated good pitchability towards the middle of the draft. He started last season in Greenville, where he put up better numbers than he had at UVA, striking out 12 batters per 9 innings, and he's pretty much maintained that strikeout rate as he's moved up the system."
"He's a lefty with an arsenal that currently consists of a mid-90s fastball, an advanced change-up, and a sweeper and slider that are still works-in-progress. That's the profile of someone who is going to get plenty of chances to make it as a starter. He's generally considered one of those prospects who could be a solid mid-rotation starter if everything breaks right."
Connolly Early grew up in Midlothian, Virginia, and played college baseball initially at West Point before transferring to UVA as a junior. He struck out 100 batters in 87.1 innings at UVA while posting a 3.00 ERA. The Red Sox selected him in the fifth round of the 2023 draft, and he began his pro career in Greenville, where he averaged 12 strikeouts per nine innings. He has largely maintained that strikeout rate while advancing through the system. Boston called him up to start in place of the injured Dustin May. Early is a left-hander featuring a mid-90s fastball, an advanced change-up, and developing sweeper and slider, and he projects as a potential mid-rotation starter if development continues and opportunities persist.
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