The Boston Red Sox are developing young pitchers capable of contributing as soon as next year.
Payton Tolle and Connelly Early arrived to give Boston’s staff a late boost down the stretch, and the rookie southpaws can each make a significant impact in 2026. Some other hurlers may not be far behind.
MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo identified five Red Sox pitching prospects who could reach the majors next season. The scout could see the following minor leaguers making their way to Boston: Kyson Witherspoon, Luis Perales, David Sandlin, Anthony Eyanson and Hayden Mullins.
Witherspoon ranks No. 89 among MLB.com’s top-100 prospects and second among Red Sox farmhands behind middle infielder Franklin Arias, Tolle and outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia. The 21-year-old could take a fast track to the majors a year after getting drafted in the first round.
“The No. 15 overall pick in the Draft, this Oklahoma product has a very exciting combination of an advanced mix — four at least plus pitches that miss a ton of bats — physicality and maturity,” Mayo wrote of Witherspoon. “Don’t be surprised if he starts the year in Double-A, and then he could be off to the races.”
Story continues below advertisement
Perales could climb up prospect rankings after throwing gas in the Arizona Fall League. The 22-year-old has the stuff to make a successful comeback from Tommy John surgery and miss bats in the majors.
“Don’t expect him to make the Opening Day roster, but the further he can put elbow surgery in his rearview and then be around the zone more, he could be ready to make an impact, perhaps out of the bullpen,” Mayo said.
Mayo said Sandlin could be the “closest to the big leagues” of these prospects after getting added to Boston’s 40-man roster. The 6-foot-4 righty, who turns 25 in February, posted a 4.50 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 106 innings this year.
Story continues below advertisement
Mayo called Eyanson “pretty advanced stuff-wise” because of a sharp slider he rode to dominance at LSU. The third-round pick has yet to pitch professionally for Boston, so it’d take a rapid ascension for the 21-year-old to join the Red Sox in 2026.
Finally, Mayo warned that the Red Sox could lose Mullins in December’s Rule 5 Draft after leaving him off the 40-man roster. He broke out to register a 2.21 ERA and 123 strikeouts over 101 2/3 innings in 2025.
