Baseball America formally unveiled its Top 100 Prospects Rankings for 2026 on Wednesday, and 4 Crimson Sox prospects made the lower.
With the commencement of former “Large Three” mainstays Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer and Kristian Campbell, Payton Tolle now stands as the highest prospect within the Crimson Sox system. The massive left-hander made a large soar into the top-20, coming in at No. 17 total.
Infielder Franklin Arias (No. 49), left-hander Connelly Early (No. 52) and right-hander Kyson Witherspoon (No. 69) have been the opposite high Crimson Sox prospects to rank inside the highest 100.
Tolle was initially drafted in 2024 and rose all the way in which from Excessive-A to the majors in his first full season {of professional} baseball. The 6-foot-6 lefty surged via the ranks thanks largely to his overpowering fastball, and upon his promotion he appeared in six common season video games plus one playoff sport.
Arias, 20, was a latest worldwide free agent signing who has established himself as the highest place participant within the Crimson Sox system. He completed final season at Double-A and not too long ago took half within the Crimson Sox rookie improvement program at Fenway Park, which goals to assist put together younger gamers for all times within the majors.
Early, like Tolle, surged via the minors final season and made a powerful impression in his late-season huge league cameo. The 23-year-old posted a 2.33 ERA with 29 strikeouts in 19.1 innings, and as soon as the playoffs started Early obtained the beginning within the decisive Recreation 3 of the AL Wild Card Collection in opposition to the New York Yankees.
Witherspoon, 21, was Boston’s first-round choose in final summer season’s draft and has but to make his skilled debut. The 6-foot-2 right-hander final pitched at Oklahoma, the place he posted a 2.65 ERA with 124 strikeouts in 95 innings. He was chosen No. 15 total by the Crimson Sox and is prone to begin this upcoming season at Excessive-A Greenville.
