Expert Predicts Red Sox 2025 Draft Pick Could Debut In 2026

The MLB draft is in the rearview mirror. Scouts, analysts, and executives around baseball can take a moment to breathe before getting started on trade deadline preparations.

The Boston Red Sox selected Kyson Witherspoon in the first round. It marked the first time they had selected a pitcher in the first round since they selected Tanner Houck in 2018.

Witherspoon is 20 years old and just completed his junior year at the University of Oklahoma. He started 16 games and registered a 2.65 earned run average.

Geoff Pontes of Baseball America published a list of players he believes could debut as soon as 2026, and Witherspoon made the list.

Pontes noted that due to Witherspoon’s high workload in college, he is unlikely to pitch in minor league games until next season. The Red Sox selected Payton Tolle in the second round last year. He didn’t appear in a game in 2024, but is already in Triple-A Worcester, knocking on the door of the majors.

Witherspoon might be an even more finished product than Tolle, though. Witherspoon’s fastball already sits 96-97 mph, while Tolle was closer to 92 mph coming out of college. The Oklahoma product also has several pitches in his arsenal, a necessary trait for a major league starting pitcher.

The Red Sox have tons of pitching depth, which could slow Witherspoon’s path to the majors. The trade deadline could shake things up, but for now, he may be blocked by more senior arms. Still, if he pitches well enough, they’ll have a hard time keeping him in the minors with what should be a competitive roster in 2026.

Pontes also believes that Kyson’s twin brother, Malachi Witherspoon, could debut for the Detroit Tigers in 2026. Malachi was selected in the second round, 62nd overall.