Red Sox prospect Payton Tolle is making a good first impression
Expectations for Payton Tolle were high entering the 2025 season. Fans have been eager to see what Tolle will do after the Red Sox selected the TCU product with the 50th overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft. So far, he has flashed his potential.
In three starts this season, Tolle has posted a 6.52 ERA and struck out 17 batters. His ERA is high partly due to a tough first outing in which he allowed six runs in 1.2 innings. Since then, Tolle has allowed one run in his last seven innings. That is more like the pitcher the Red Sox expect him to be.
During the first three starts of his pro career, the talented 22-year-old has been hard to get on base against. Opponents are hitting .237 against him this season. With each start, Tolle has shown improvement, which was on display on Sunday.
Against Hub City, Tolle was a human highlight reel. He struck out a season-high nine batters in four innings. The Oklahoma native allowed one hit and, for the first time in his pro career, did not allow an earned run. That performance helped drop his ERA from 11.12 to 6.52.
As the season continues, Tolle will be one of the most closely watched players in the farm system. His arsenal includes a fastball that tops out at 96 miles per hour to go with a sweeping slider. He can also keep hitters off balance with a changeup. With more experience, his pitch mix should continue to improve.
If he can continue to replicate his success from Sunday, Tolle's stock should continue to rise in a farm system full of talented starters.