Top Red Sox prospect Payton Tolle was promoted to Triple-A on Aug. 4, 2025. After a dominant run in Double-A, could the lefty join Boston's bullpen soon?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when you thought the vibes around Fenway couldn't get any better, the Boston Red Sox gave fans another massive reason for excitement on Monday. While the big-league club prepared for a series against the Royals, the organization promoted its top pitching prospect, Payton Tolle, to Triple-A Worcester. The move puts the flamethrowing lefty on the cusp of the majors and has the entire fanbase wondering: could we see him in Boston this year?
MLB Pipeline recently described his fastball as 'nearly unhittable.'
Let's be clear: Payton Tolle's rise has been nothing short of meteoric. The 22-year-old, 6-foot-6 southpaw has laid waste to two levels of the minors this season. After posting a 14.3 K/9 at High-A Greenville, he was even better at Double-A Portland, pitching to a minuscule 1.67 ERA with 37 strikeouts in just 27 innings. Armed with a 96 mph fastball, a cutter, slider, and changeup, Tolle has shot up prospect rankings, landing at No. 49 on Baseball America's Top 100 list. The organization is reportedly considering a path similar to that of Chris Sale or Garrett Crochet, bringing him up to impact the MLB bullpen this season before stretching him out as a starter down the line. His promotion to Worcester isn't just a milestone; it's a signal.
The future is bright, but the present is pretty great, too. The Red Sox (62-51) enter Monday's series opener against the Kansas City Royals as one of the hottest teams in baseball. They're riding a five-game winning streak and have won eight of their last ten, solidifying their hold on a Wild Card spot. They'll face a tough test in the Royals (56-56), who are also playing well with a 7-3 record in their last ten games. The three-game set at Fenway Park, starting tonight at 7:10 PM, is a crucial one for maintaining momentum as the playoff race heats up.
Tonight, all eyes are on Fenway as the Sox look to make it six in a row. But for the first time, fans will also be watching the Worcester box scores with bated breath. The Red Sox are winning now, and with Payton Tolle knocking on the door, the reinforcements coming down the pipeline could make this stretch run—and the future—truly special.
