Payton Tolle has been one of the prized prospects for the Boston Red Sox over the last season or so. After making his major league debut in late August against the Pittsburgh Pirates (in the Fenway Greens at Fenway Park, mind you), he was seen by many as the pitcher of the future for the club. He had an amazing debut, striking out eight in 5 1/3 innings.
However, things took a slight downturn afterwards. In his next two starts against the Athletics and the Diamondbacks, he allowed seven earned runs in just five innings. Right away, the Red Sox moved him to the bullpen to pitch out of long relief, where he excelled. He struck out seven batters in six innings, while giving up two earned runs.
This season, he started in Triple-A Worcester, missing the major league roster thanks to a very hyped Red Sox rotation ahead of him. With a rotation filled with the likes of Garrett Crochet, Sonny Gray, Ranger Suarez, Connelly Early, and Brayan Bello, it was deemed one to be feared for opposing hitters. But things haven't worked out that way to start the season.
Boston's rotation has allowed 66 earned runs in 117 2/3 innings pitched, a combined ERA of 5.05. For those wondering, it's ranked in the bottom five in all of baseball. Things have gotten worse with Sonny Gray being put on the 15-day injured list due to a hamstring strain.
This woke up the front office, and they realized that they needed to make a bit of a pitching shake-up. Reliever Jack Anderson was demoted back to Triple-A. Left-hander and Red Sox Top 30 prospect Eduardo Rivera, originally expected to be elevated to Triple-A, was promoted from Double-A to the big club. He pitched 3 1/3 innings in long relief on Wednesday and was selected on the 40-man active roster after they moved Triston Casas to the 60-day IL. Now, after the Tolle promotion, he's been sent back down to Triple-A one day after his appearance.
Even with the many roster moves, there was still an opening for a rotation arm, and many thought it would've been either Jake Bennett or Tolle getting the call. It turned out that the Red Sox wanted Tolle back up, so they promoted him back to Boston
Tolle was pitching very well in Triple-A, recording a 3.00 ERA and 19 strikeouts over 15 innings of work, while walking four batters and allowing five earned runs.
With Tolle starting against Cam Schlittler and the New York Yankees, both Brayan Bello and Garrett Crochet will get an extra day of rest. Whether they decide to have someone else start after Crochet or push Early to start a day ahead will be determined.
But one thing is for certain: the Red Sox need a jolt and fast. Let's hope Tolle is the spark that finally lights the fire.
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