Red Sox No. 6 Prospect Promoted, Will Start Tonight in Sacramento

Red Sox Calling Up Connelly Early for MLB Debut

Minor League Dominance

Early, 23, has excelled in the minors this season, posting a 10-3 record with a 2.60 ERA (2.76 FIP) over 110 1/3 innings across Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester. Additionally, he recorded 132 strikeouts compared to 40 walks, yielding a 1.106 WHIP. At Worcester, he went 3-1 with a 2.83 ERA in six appearances (28 2/3 innings), including a career-high 10-strikeout, six-scoreless-inning outing on September 2. Diving into Early’s advanced metrics, he owns a PS score (Prospect Savant score is a percentile stat that evaluates prospect value) of 97.84, good for the 98th percentile across Triple-A pitchers. Baseball America notes Early’s 31% strikeout rate led Red Sox minor leaguers (80+ innings), driven by increased velocity and refined arsenal.

Scouting Report and Praise

“Connelly’s a strikeout pitcher,” Worcester manager Chad Tracy told MassLive. “He keeps hitters confused, and that 10-strikeout game showed his stuff plays.” Early’s six-pitch mix—featuring a 92-95 mph fastball, a plus changeup, and a devastating curve—has drawn attention. FanGraphs’ David Laurila noted, “He’s revamped his repertoire, with a new one-seam kick-change that’s his nastiest pitch.” Teammate Payton Tolle, who debuted August 29, praised Early’s composure: “He’s got that calm confidence. He’ll handle the big stage.” Scouts highlight his pitchability, with SoxProspects.com noting his “above-average command and consistent release point.” 

Worcester T&G asked what Early’s MLB debut with the Red Sox this week would mean for him. He said, “It’d be amazing, of course… I feel like everybody in the organization wants to get up to play for the Red Sox. I mean, the Red Sox are a great organization, and they have a reputation of being good for so long, and I feel like that’s just something that everybody wants to be a part of… So, it would just mean a ton.” 

Implications for Boston

However, Early faces a challenging debut at Sacramento’s hitter-friendly stadium, Sutter Health Park. The Athletics’ temporary field ranks second in WOBA, runs, OBP, hits, and ninth in home runs. Effectively, Sutter Health Park owns a 108 Park Factor (per Baseball Savant), trailing only the Colorado Rockies’ Coors Field. His promotion reflects Boston’s faith in their farm talent, as they push for a Wild Card spot, leading Seattle by 3 1/2 games. For instance, Tolle’s debut (5 1/3 IP, 8 K, 2 ER) set a high bar, and Early aims to follow suit. Yet, his high-floor profile suggests reliability over flash. Meanwhile, May’s IL stint raises rotation concerns, but Early’s emergence is the depth Boston needs. As Boston chases a playoff spot, Early’s debut could be pivotal for the young lefty and the Red Sox.