Red Sox Eye Promotion For Another Young Pitching Prospect

The Boston Red Sox are dipping back into their stash of young pitchers. They need to fill a rotation spot, and depth has been a challenge all year.

Triple-A Worcester’s Connelly Early got scratched from his Sunday start—not because he’s hurt, but to keep him ready for a possible call-up. That’s got folks buzzing about whether he’s about to get the nod.

Boston faces a sudden gap in the rotation. They’re also juggling pitching options before a series against one of MLB’s tougher lineups versus lefties.

Red Sox Seeking Rotation Answers

Manager Alex Cora says there’s an open start on Wednesday. He already ruled out hard-throwing lefty Payton Tolle for that spot, though Tolle might still pitch out of the bullpen.

So, there’s a chance the Sox could pair Early and Tolle in a tandem outing to eat up innings. That’s not a bad way to patch things together.

Managing the Short-Term Schedule

The schedule’s tight right now. Garrett Crochet is lined up for Monday, then Dustin May takes the mound Tuesday.

May hasn’t been working deep into games lately, which puts extra pressure on the bullpen. Boston’s clearly trying to avoid burning out their relievers before a tough series against Oakland.

Who is Connelly Early?

Early’s been one of the more interesting arms in the Boston system this year. He’s a lefty with a good mix of pitches and looks ready for the big leagues.

Dominant Numbers in Worcester

He’s 24 and has thrown 100 1/3 innings for Worcester, putting up a sharp 2.60 ERA. His strikeout rate? An impressive 31.9%. He walks hitters at a reasonable 9.7% clip.

Early attacks the zone and misses bats. That’s the kind of profile that usually translates well to the majors, at least in theory.

Early’s Pitching Arsenal

His fastball averages 93.5 mph. But the real story is his changeup, which gets a wild 20.7% swinging strike rate.

That pitch helps him keep hitters off balance, no matter which side of the plate they’re on. He’s also got a slider, sweeper, curveball, and sinker in his bag.

• Slider
• Sweeper
• Curveball
• Sinker

With that variety, Cora can use Early for multiple innings or let him face a lineup a few times. He’s not just a one-trick pony.

Roster Complications and Tactical Considerations

Calling up Early means Boston would need to put him on the 40-man roster. That’s not a throwaway move—it could impact offseason roster protection and Rule 5 Draft choices.

The front office has to think about the long-term picture while trying to win now. It’s not exactly an easy call.

Oakland’s Lefty Advantage

The Red Sox also have to consider the matchup. The Oakland Athletics have mashed left-handed pitching in 2024.

Do you really want to debut Early against a lineup that’s been crushing lefties? Or is it better to wait for a softer spot? That’s a tough one, honestly.

The Road Ahead

The next couple of days will reveal what Boston wants to do. If they let Early make his big league debut, he’ll face a real test—and it’s a great chance to see if his changeup can fool the best hitters.

If they patch together Wednesday’s game with Tolle and others, it probably means they’re choosing caution with the young lefty. It’s tough to say which way they’ll go, honestly. Sometimes you just have to wait and see.

The Red Sox are leaning on their young players to get through this rough stretch. With pitching depth thin and the playoffs in sight, every move feels huge.

Maybe Connelly Early’s next start comes in Triple-A. Maybe it’s under the lights at Fenway. Either way, his name’s one Boston fans should keep in mind.

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Here is the source article for this story: Yet Another Red Sox Pitching Prospect In Mix For Promotion