Rumor: Red Sox Top Prospect Expected To Debut Friday

The Boston Red Sox are reportedly adding yet another promising young player to their roster.

According to Ken Rosenthal, Payton Tolle is expected to debut for the Red Sox on Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Christopher Smith also reported the news.

Tolle is a 6-foot-6 left-handed pitcher who began the season in High-A Greenville. He didn’t pitch in the minor leagues at all last season after being selected in the 2024 MLB draft, but he’s shot through the minors on his way to Boston this year.

The move is yet to be made official, and his role is unclear. The Red Sox have an opening in their rotation on Friday with Dustin May’s start pushed back to Saturday, but Tolle could appear after an opener.

He’s made three appearances with Triple-A Worcester and topped out at 72 pitches. His most recent outing was a five-inning, one-run outing in which he struck out nine. The Red Sox will want to monitor his innings in his first professional season. With a rested bullpen, his debut likely won’t be more than 70 or so pitches.

His fastball is one of the best in the minor leagues, and he uses his huge frame to stride down the mound and help the already solid velocity play even better. He also uses a cutter, slider, changeup and curveball, but the fastball is his best pitch.

If he does start, he’ll be up against Paul Skenes, arguably the best pitcher in baseball. The Pirates’ lineup isn’t the most formidable, though. The Pirates rank last in baseball in runs per game and have the fifth-worst wRC+ against left-handed pitching.

Alex Cora expects Fenway Park to be an electric atmosphere this weekend. If the Red Sox do call up Tolle, it should only add to the excitement.