The Boston Red Sox are promoting Payton Tolle, their top pitching prospect, to debut Friday night against the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to multiple reports, including Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The left-hander will start opposite second-year phenom Paul Skenes.
Report: Red Sox Calling Up Payton Tolle for Friday Debut
Red Sox top pitching prospect Payton Tolle expected to make his MLB debut tomorrow night at Fenway Park against the Pirates’ Paul Skenes, sources tell @TheAthletic. Tolle, a left-hander, was the team’s second-round pick out of TCU last year. Meteoric rise in first pro season.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 28, 2025
The 22-year-old Tolle was Boston’s second-round pick in 2024 out of Texas Christian University. He ranks as Boston’s No. 2 overall prospect (behind shortstop Franklin Arias) and No. 28 overall according to MLB Pipeline. He has rocketed through the team’s minor league system this season, moving from High-A to Double-A to Triple-A in quick succession. However, Tolle was most successful with Double-A Portland, pitching to a 1.67 ERA and a 0.741 WHIP in six games (five starts). Overall, he has a record of 3-5 with a 3.04 ERA, a 0.993 WHIP, 133 strikeouts, and only 23 walks in 91 2/3 innings this season.
Tolle has an intimidating frame, standing at 6’6″ and 250 pounds. A two-way player in college, the Red Sox were tempted by his ability to pound the strike zone and are hoping he’ll be a successful full-time pitcher. Per MLB Pipeline, Tolle has a three-pitch mix, consisting of a fastball, slider, and changeup.
A native of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Tolle is not the only high-profile pitching prospect making his MLB debut on Friday. The New York Mets are also promoting Jonah Tong to start their game against the Miami Marlins. As September roster expansion nears, several members of the MLB Pipeline Top 100 could see action. This applies to contenders looking to continue their playoff push, like the Red Sox and Mets. But non-contenders will also be giving youngsters a chance to see what they have to offer for the future.
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