"Left-handed pitcher Payton Tolle, whose exhilarating MLB debut in late August amidst Boston's playoff push made him a household name in New England, headlines BA's list at the No. 1 spot. MLB.com's most recent, and final 2025, ranking has Tolle at No. 2. Tolle's speedy rise through the Red Sox' minor league system in 2025 placed him in the periphery of fans. After being selected in the second round of the 2024 MLB Draft, he began 2025 with Single-A Greenville, was promoted to Double-A on June 24, and jumped up to Triple-A Worcester on Aug. 6."
"By the end of the month, the 22-year-old Tolle found himself starting a game at Fenway Park. Facing off against Pirates' star pitcher Paul Skenes, Tolle outdueled the 2024 National League Rookie of the Year (and eventual 2025 NL Cy Young Award winner) by going 5 ⅓ innings and striking out eight batters while allowing three hits. Through the remainder of the regular season, Tolle struggled and eventually wound up in the bullpen."
A new wave of Red Sox prospects has emerged after Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer graduated from prospect status. Baseball America ranked Payton Tolle as Boston's No. 1 prospect for 2026 while MLB.com placed him at No. 2. Tolle rose quickly after being drafted in the second round in 2024, advancing from Single-A Greenville to Triple-A Worcester in 2025 and winning Boston's Minor League Pitcher of the Year. He started at Fenway, outdueled Paul Skenes in his debut, averaged a 96.6 mph fastball that reached 99 mph, and later moved to the bullpen amid struggles.
Read at Boston.com
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