It turns out Payton Tolle isn’t just good at presentations about the United States. He’s also a pretty dominant pitcher.
MLB’s No. 16 prospect made his third start of the season on Sunday, and looked as sharp as ever, fanning six over five scoreless frames in Triple-A Worcester's 8-2 win over Columbus at Polar Park.
The outing marked the Red Sox top prospect’s first scoreless start of the season and lowered his ERA to 3.00.
Since turning pro, Tolle’s top offering has been his heater. The pitch, which checks in as a 70-grade weapon, averaged 97 mph and 17 inches of induced vertical break in the start. The southpaw’s six punchouts came on a mix of his four-seamer (2), sinker (3) and cutter (1).
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Standing at 6-foot-6, 250 pounds, the Oklahoma native averages an elite 7.5 feet of extension from the bump. Last season, he rode his farm system-best 13.1 K/9 and 133 strikeouts all the way to Fenway Park in late August.
Tolle impressed with eight strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings in his big league debut but was ultimately moved to the bullpen down the stretch and for the Wild Card Series. Vying for the fifth spot in Boston’s starting rotation, MLB’s No. 2 LHP prospect showcased his strikeout stuff in Spring Training -- 13 K’s over 10 2/3 frames -- but was sent to Triple-A at the end of camp to sharpen his secondary offerings.
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In total, Tolle landed 47 of his 75 pitches for strikes vs. Columbus. He threw his curveball 11 times -- four for strikes. His changeup accounted for just two strikes on seven offerings.
Nicknamed “The Piglet” by Red Sox fans because of his resemblance to Garrett Crochet, Tolle projects to factor into the big league rotation at some point in 2026. In the meantime, he’s getting it done just 44 miles away.