NEW YORK — The Boston Red Sox have officially unveiled their 2025 American League Wild Card roster ahead of the highly anticipated Game 1 scheduled for Tuesday. This roster comprises a strategic mix of talent, featuring 12 pitchers and 14 position players, designed to maximize their chances in the postseason.
Among the notable names on the roster are three promising young pitchers: Connelly Early, Kyle Harrison, and Payton Tolle. All three were called up to the major leagues during August and September, showcasing the Red Sox's commitment to nurturing young talent. While Early and Tolle are both rookies, they have already made a significant impact on the team's performance.
The Red Sox will also feature speedsters Nate Eaton and David Hamilton on their roster, adding depth and agility to the lineup. However, it’s worth noting that Lucas Giolito, a right-handed starter, will not be participating due to an elbow injury, a significant setback for the team. Manager Alex Cora confirmed this decision on Monday, emphasizing the need for a robust roster in the best-of-three series.
If the series advances to Game 3, it's likely that either Early or Harrison will take the mound, despite their limited experience, having combined for just six starts this season. The first game between the Red Sox and the New York Yankees will commence on Tuesday at Yankee Stadium, with the first pitch slated for 6:08 p.m.
Payton Tolle began his season at High-A Greenville, while Connelly Early started at Double-A Portland. The 23-year-old Early has been impressive, allowing only five earned runs across 19 and ⅓ innings, which translates to a remarkable 2.33 ERA over four starts. His ability to strike out 36.7% of the 79 batters faced showcases his potential as a formidable rookie.
Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet praised Early, stating, “I knew that I had the stuff to belong (as a rookie), and that’s kind of what I see in Early. When Early came up, it was a sense of comfortability in who he was.” This statement underscores the confidence that both Early and Harrison bring to the team, enhancing the overall morale.
The 24-year-old Kyle Harrison is another exciting prospect for the Red Sox, acquired from the Giants in the Rafael Devers trade on June 15. After spending almost three months at Triple-A Worcester, Harrison has refined his pitch mix, notably incorporating a cutter. He has yielded four runs in 12 innings for Boston, proving his readiness for the postseason challenge.
Payton Tolle, at just 22 years old, stands out as Boston’s top pitching prospect. His impressive velocity out of the bullpen has been a game-changer, recently clocking in at 100.1 mph with his fastball, making him a critical asset for the Red Sox in high-pressure situations.
The complete Red Sox Wild Card roster is as follows:
PITCHERS (12): Brayan Bello, Aroldis Chapman, Garrett Crochet, Connelly Early, Kyle Harrison, Zack Kelly, Steven Matz, Justin Slaten, Payton Tolle, Greg Weissert, Garrett Whitlock, Justin Wilson. CATCHERS (2): Carlos Narváez, Connor Wong. INFIELDERS (4): Alex Bregman, David Hamilton, Nathaniel Lowe, Trevor Story. OUTFIELDERS (4): Wilyer Abreu, Jarren Duran, Rob Refsnyder, Masataka Yoshida. INFIELDER/OUTFIELDERS (4): Nate Eaton, Romy Gonzalez, Ceddanne Rafaela, Nick Sogard.As the Red Sox prepare to face their rivals, the Yankees, fans are optimistic about their team’s potential in the 2025 American League Wild Card series. The blend of seasoned players and emerging talent sets the stage for an exciting postseason.
