Red Sox take LHP Payton Tolle 50th overall in MLB Draft
With their second pick on the first day of the 2024 MLB Draft, the Red Sox selected left-handed TCU pitcher Payton Tolle.
In the first round of the 2024 MLB Draft the Red Sox added a power bat in the outfield, selecting Texas A&M right fielder Braden Montgomery 12th overall. Back on the clock in the second round, the Sox turned their attention to pitching.
With their second-round pick – 50th overall – the Red Sox selected TCU left-handed pitcher Payton Tolle. Tolle is the first pitcher drafted by the Red Sox in the top two rounds since Tanner Houck in 2017.
Tolle, 21, just wrapped up his junior season with the Horned Frogs after spending his first two college seasons at Wichita State. In his first year in the Big 12 he was named first-team all-conference, as well as Pitcher and Newcomer of the Year after he went 7-4 with a 3.21 ERA and 1.156 WHIP in 14 starts. Tolle threw 81.1 innings, striking out 125 hitters while allowing just 57 hits and 37 walks.
At Wichita State Tolle was a two-way player, and hit .311 with 13 home runs in 212 at-bats his last year there. He only got 55 at-bats last year at TCU as he focused on pitching, and hit .182.
MLB.com had Tolle rated as the 87th ranked prospect in this draft. They grade his fastball, which tops out at 96 MPH, as his best pitch. Tolle also throws a slider and a changeup. His scouting report on MLB.com notes that “he’s a polarizing prospect whose proponents extol his fastball metrics while others see him as more of a multi-inning reliever than a starter.”
By adding Tolle, the Red Sox add some needed pitching depth to their farm system. Heading into the draft, SoxProspects.com ranked no pitchers in the organization’s top five prospects, with just three in the top 15.
With their second-round pick in the books, the Red Sox are now done with Day 1 of the draft. They’ll be back on the clock on Monday with their third-round pick, 86th overall. Rounds 3-10 take place on Monday, followed by 11-20 on Tuesday.
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Mazz's Tiers: Red Sox trade deadline acquisitions in the 2000's
Tier 1
NEW YORK – OCTOBER 20: Manager Terry Francona #47 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with Doug Mientkiewicz #13 after defeating the New York Yankees 10-3 to win game seven of the American League Championship Series on October 20, 2004 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City.(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
2004 – Doug Mientkiewicz and Orlando Cabrera acquired in a four team trade that sent Nomar Garciaparra to the Chicago Cubs
Tier 2
BOSTON – OCTOBER 17: Dave Roberts #31 of the Boston Red Sox steals second base while shortstop Derek Jeter #2 of the New York Yankees applies the tag in the ninth inning during game four of the American League Championship Series on October 17, 2004 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
2004 – Dave Roberts acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers for a minor leaguer
2018 – Steve Pearce acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays for Santiago Espinal
2018 – Nathan Eovaldi acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays for Jalen Beeks
2021 – Kyle Schwarber acquired from the Washington Nationals for a minor leaguer
2009 – Victor Martinez acquired from the Detroit Tigers for Justin Masterson
Tier 3
Boston Red Sox batter Manny Ramirez touches the hands of fans after he hit the first of two home runs against Texas Rangers, Saturday, July 10, 2004. The Red Sox won 14-6 at Fenway Park in Boston. (Photo by J Rogash/Getty Images)
2013 – Jake Peavy acquired in a three team trade. Jose Iglesias was traded to the Detroit Tigers in the deal
2008 – Manny Ramirez traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a three team trade. Jason Bay was acquired by the Red Sox from the Pittsburgh Pirates
Tier 4
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 23: Jon Lester #31 of the Boston Red Sox tips his cap as he leaves the game in the eighth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals during Game One of the 2013 World Series at Fenway Park on October 23, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
2007 – Eric Gagne acquired from Texas Rangers for Kason Gabbard
2014 – Jon Lester traded to Oakland Athletics for Yoenis Cespedes
2014 – John Lackey traded to St. Louis Cardinals for Allen Craig and Joe Kelly
