Boston Red Sox prospect Connelly Early talks promotion, his performance, his name, and more

Image courtesy of Gwinn Davis/Greenville Drive

The Boston Red Sox promoted six prospects on Monday (and two more on Tuesday). One of those prospects was Connelly Early, who was moved up to Double-A after impressing in High-A this season.

The left-handed pitcher posted a 3.72 ERA, .208 BAA, and 1.14 WHIP in 15 starts in High-A. He struck out 90 batters in 67 2/3 innings.

Early earned the promotion, being possibly the most consistent pitcher for Greenville (a toss-up between him and Hayden Mullins). Now, the 2023 fifth-round pick gets to finish the 2024 season in Portland.

In his first Double-A start, Early allowed just one hit over five scoreless innings. He struck out five batters compared to two walks.

We found Early to talk to him about his season in High-A, the promotion to Double-A, and more.

Q: Let's start with the obvious. You made your Double-A debut yesterday. What was that like? Were there nerves? How excited were you? How did you think you did?

"I was super excited about it. The environment here is really solid. They've brought a ton of fans. It's fun getting to pitch in front of crowds like that.

There are still nerves every step of the way. Anywhere you are, you're going to get those nerves. If I didn't get those nerves, I'd be a little afraid, honestly [laughs]. You're going to be a little nervous stepping onto the mound, but that's a good thing. That just means you're excited.

Overall, I thought I did a pretty solid job. I would've liked to limit the walks. You're always trying to chase perfection, and it's not always going to happen. So you're just trying to be as good as you can every pitch."

Q: How did you find out you were being promoted, and what was your immediate reaction to it?

"I found out on Sunday after our game. The manager in Greenville, Iggy [Saurez], brought me into the office, and a couple of other coaches were in there. He told me that there were some schedule changes and I was getting moved to Thursday or Friday. And he said they wouldn't have to worry about it in Greenville because I would be up in Portland [laughs].

So it was pretty interesting. He kind of slow-rolled me into it, but it was a good time."

Q: Who has been the biggest help for you in the Portland locker room? Did it help you to get promoted with David Sandlin?

"100% it helps getting promoted with Sandlin. We made that ride together. 10 1/2 hours, so not a super fun one, especially on the one off-day you get in the league.

But that's really nice to have him because we've been doing it the whole season together and been through the ups and downs together. So we know how we each respond after certain days and kind of feel out how to talk to each other.

Obviously, it's super nice seeing Kyle Teel because I know him from college. Having him as my catcher going out there made me a little more comfortable because it's a guy I've thrown to in the past."

Q: Teel was my next question, so that made it easy. Thoughts on your season to this point?

"It's hard to look at it right now and think oh, it's been good, or oh, it's been bad'. I'm more like, take it day by day. Go through the daily routine or weekly routine that you have. Put your best stuff out there every day. Especially as a starter, you only get that one opportunity, maybe two times a week, to go out and show who you are.

So it's just trying to piece each day and like stack the days together and just become the best version of yourself. Then, at the end of the season, you can take a step back and look back and say like, hmm, that was a really solid year, or maybe there is still room for improvement."

Q: You are from Virginia, and you went to Virginia. Were you a little upset that you only got to pitch two innings in Salem?

"I wouldn't say I was super upset. It was a good time being down in Salem, especially to get out of Fort Myers and get into the real swing of things, like figuring out how everything works in the minor leagues. You're not used to that routine in college. It's definitely a little more demanding on the body. So, just trying to see how everything works with all the coaches and all the meetings that you have. Things like lifting schedules.

I was extremely excited to start in Greenville this year because I worked my tail off to try and get there. But, at the end of the day, I'm here to go wherever and just trying to move up every day."

Q: I always make sure to call Ceddanne Rafaela by his full name. Ceddanne Chipper Nicasio Marte Rafaela. Can you explain your full name of Todd Connelly McNeil Early?

"[Laughs] So my dad's first name is Todd, so that's how I got my first name. I've always gone by Connelly, though, because I have three other brothers, and they all go by a C-name. I'm the third of the four boys. It's Coleman, Caval, Connelly, Calum. My parents always struggle with it [laughs]. They have so many different C names coming out.

Then, McNeil is from my mom's last name, and Early is my dad's last name.

I don't really have a problem with people calling me Todd, Connelly, Early, whatever. I've heard all of it [laughs]."

Q: What player impressed you the most in Greenville this year?

"David Sandlin's really impressive when he's on the mound. Big power arm and a guy who can hold velo in the upper nineties up to 100. Definitely some fuego that you see out of his arm, which is really impressive.

Also, I'd say. Whew, there's a lot. I mean, [Jhosytnxon] Garcia. He came up and just started mashing the ball from day one. It was insane, the amount of homers and the numbers he was putting up.

That whole team is really solid. I love the pitching staff there. I got really tight with all those guys.

Mikey [Romero] is turning it up. Cutter [Coffey] is turning it up. I'm close with all those guys. And obviously, [Bryan] Gonzalez is hitting home runs all the time, so that's nice to have behind you when you're pitching."

Q: Kind of a cheap question because you haven't worn them yet, but I'm trying to get more people on my side, so I'm going to ask anyway. Portland Teals or Greenville Black Spinners?

"I haven't seen the teals that much, and I'd need to see how it fit on me. But I like the Spinners a lot. I would go with the Black Spinners. And when I did wear them, I had a good outing, so I'll take it [laughs]."

Q: No baseball activity allowed. What are you doing on an off day?

"It depends if I want to be outside or inside. Video games with the guys are always fun. I'm a big Rocket League guy. Call of Duty, too, sometimes.

Outside activities, my go-to is probably fishing. It's a little hard to travel with the rods in the back of the car, but if you can, it's nice."

Follow Hunter on Twitter @Hunter_Noll.

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