Payton Tolle is the first guy on this prospect list who has already reached the Major Leagues. He was called up on August 29th and had a cup of coffee with Boston when the rosters expanded. He appeared in 7 games, starting 3 of them.

Tolle has a big fastball that can reach triple digits and enters 2026 with much-improved off-speed stuff. He has a changeup that can reach the upper 80s, and has both a slider and a cutter that he can use as a put away pitch to get hitters out on any given day.

Tolle is widely considered the best lefty pitching prospect in baseball and is expected to compete for a spot in Boston’s big league rotation to open the season, but the main reason I decided to include him on this list is a fun one. Tolle had one of my favorite quotes so far this spring. When asked what it was like trying to make the team in Spring Training, Tolle said:

[You’re] fighting like you’re the third monkey trying to get on the Ark, and it’s starting to rain…”

Look away Sox fans, but in terms of player comps, the main one I’m seeing is Carlos Rodon. He throws harder than Rodon and uses his fastball at a higher rate. I don’t disagree with the comp, but I also see a little bit of CC Sabathia in him.

Tolle has a big personality and is definitely on my shortlist of prospects I’m excited to watch in 2026, if not for the postgame interviews alone. If he makes the Boston rotation, it would make the Sox one of the most interesting staffs in baseball.