Young Red Sox Southpaw Makes Major Prospect Jump
Boston Red Sox left-hander Payton Tolle has officially joined MLB’s Top 100 prospects, slotting in at No. 100 following the league’s latest rankings release.
The 22-year-old becomes the fourth Red Sox player on the list, joining Franklin Arias (No. 37), Jhostynxon Garcia (No. 97) and top-ranked Roman Anthony.
Tolle earned a promotion to Double-A Portland on June 23, and he’s delivered from the jump. Through his first 14 innings with the Sea Dogs, he’s fanned 22 hitters while issuing just three walks and posting a 1.93 ERA. Including his time with High-A Greenville, Tolle owns a 3.25 ERA with 101 strikeouts in 63 ⅔ innings.
Originally drafted in the second round out of Texas Christian, Tolle signed for an over-slot $2 million bonus after winning Big 12 Pitcher of the Year.
That heater remains Tolle’s calling card — and it has taken a leap. After sitting 91 mph at TCU, Tolle now averages 95 and has touched 99. The Red Sox worked with him to improve strength and athleticism, and the results are showing.
Beyond pure velocity, Tolle’s delivery adds to the deception. He averages over seven feet of extension down the mound, with some pitches releasing as far as 7’10” — slicing crucial reaction time off the hitter’s window. That extreme extension, paired with a low release height, creates a flat approach angle similar to Minnesota Twins starter Joe Ryan.
Tolle’s breakout mirrors a broader trend: even as league-wide fastball usage declines, elite fastballs still dominate.
Arms like Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes and Garrett Crochet are thriving with similar profiles — velocity, shape and extension.
If Tolle continues trending in that direction, his Boston Red Sox debut may not be too far off.