Payton Tolle Road To Boston Red Sox Is Now As Injuries Take Their Toll

BusinessSportsMoneyPayton Tolle Road To Boston Red Sox Is Now As Injuries Take Their TollByChuck Murr,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Chuck analyzes and writes about baseball, soccer & other sports.Follow AuthorApr 21, 2026, 03:40pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.PHOENIX, AZ: Payton Tolle of the Boston Red Sox pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Sept. 5, 2025. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)Getty ImagesPayton Tolle is generally regarded as the Boston Red Sox’s top prospect in 2026. The large left-hander is likely about to get an S.O.S. call to help an injury-riddled starting rotation.The 6-foot-6, 250-pounder pitched across four levels in his first pro season, culminating in a short relief appearance in the American League Wild Card Series. He got the call in the toughest situation possible – the bases loaded at Yankee Stadium in a one-run game. He got Trent Grisham to ground out to second base."He’s one of the best left-handed pitching prospects in baseball," prospect expert Ian Cundall of Baseball America told NBC Sports Boston this winter. "I understand that his (2025) season didn’t end how people wanted, but you've got to remember, this is a guy who made his pro debut last year and made it to the big leagues in his first season. That's pretty crazy when you think of it that way. "I'd expect him to take a really big step forward. We saw how much he progressed last offseason, and if he can do anything close to that this year, watch out. That's a potential mid-rotation-to-better pitching prospect right there."ARLINGTON, TX: Payton Tolle hits the ball during the 2024 Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship game between TCU and West Virginia on May 21, 2024, at Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Ic...