The Boston Red Sox entered Spring Training this year with an uncharacteristic level of clarity near the top of their rotation but an equally intense sense of uncertainty at the back end. While the first four spots appear locked with Garrett Crochet, Ranger Suárez, Sonny Gray, and Brayan Bello, the battle for the fifth starter role has quickly become one of the most compelling storylines of Boston’s preseason preparation. It is a competition loaded with contrasting styles, intriguing upside, and no shortage of pressure as the club attempts to build a pitching foundation capable of anchoring a postseason run.
According to beat reporter Chris Cotillo of MassLive, the Red Sox view the No. 5 rotation slot as entirely open heading into February 20, with no preset favorites and no assurances given to any of the candidates. Instead, the team has identified five pitchers vying for the assignment: offseason acquisition Johan Oviedo, experienced right-hander Kutter Crawford, left-handed veteran Patrick Sandoval, and young rising talents Payton Tolle and Connelly Early. This mix of experience and youth creates an unpredictable dynamic—one that pitching coach Andrew Bailey emphasized will require patience, health, and performance above all else.
Bailey addressed the competition with a candid sense of urgency, stating that the staff has “a job to win” and reminding everyone that early-season off days provide strategic flexibility. His focus remains on ensuring every pitcher exits camp healthy, aligned with individual goals, and equipped to contribute meaningfully—whether as a starter or a bullpen asset. His remarks reinforced the idea that Boston intends to choose the most reliable option, not merely the most talented or the most established.
When breaking down the decision, three key factors loom large: each pitcher’s floor and ceiling, their injury history, and whether they possess minor-league options. On the latter point, Sandoval stands out—he is the only candidate who cannot be optioned without passing through waivers. That reality alone gives him an inherent advantage in sticking with the major-league roster in some capacity. The team understands that attempting to option him would almost certainly result in losing him to another organization, creating additional pressure to evaluate his long-term fit.
Despite that advantage, Sandoval is not guaranteed a rotation spot. If the staff determines his skill set fits better in a long-relief or hybrid role, Boston may lean toward more upside-driven choices for the fifth starter. His track record contains flashes of brilliance but inconsistency remains an obstacle that could push him into a bullpen position where his stuff may play more efficiently in shorter bursts.
Crawford presents a different kind of evaluation challenge. After missing the entire 2025 season due to wrist surgery, he enters camp healthy but still surrounded by questions. His 2024 performance suggested a pitcher with one of the highest floors among the group—steady, reliable, and rarely prone to meltdown innings. However, his ceiling appears capped, making him more of a stabilizing presence than a potential breakout performer. With other pitchers in this competition holding No. 2 or No. 3 starter potential, Crawford must rely on consistency and command to maintain relevance in the race.
Oviedo, on the other hand, might hold the strongest initial claim to the job. Boston paid a substantial price to acquire him this offseason, signaling organizational confidence in his profile. At 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds, he brings a physically imposing presence to the mound and pairs that with a high-velocity fastball and a deep repertoire of off-speed pitches. When healthy, Oviedo has demonstrated the ability to dominate lineups in extended stretches. His combination of raw power and experience could make him the logical choice if he demonstrates command and durability throughout camp.
Further complicating the decision are the two youngest arms in the mix—Tolle and Early—each of whom captured the attention of Boston fans during their late-season MLB debuts in 2025. Their contrasting styles highlight Boston’s long-term developmental focus. Payton Tolle relies on a heavy fastball and power-driven approach, producing sharp velocity and late movement that can overpower hitters. Meanwhile, Connelly Early thrives with finesse, mixing speeds, tunneling pitches, and disrupting timing with advanced polish uncommon for a young left-hander.
Despite their upside, both rookies face an uphill battle. The Red Sox organization views 2026 as a pivotal developmental year for the pair, with an expectation that their workloads and command profiles still require refinement. To break camp as members of the rotation, they would need to outperform more seasoned candidates while also demonstrating readiness for the grind of a full-season workload. Still, their upside remains the highest of the entire group—a fact not lost on Boston’s front office as it considers long-term rotation construction.
The excitement surrounding Tolle, in particular, has grown rapidly. His early bullpen sessions this spring drew praise from coaches who noted the progress of his slider, a pitch that could elevate him from raw talent to legitimate rotation threat. His physicality and mound presence create natural intrigue, but Spring Training will be the proving ground where his command and sequencing determine how quickly he can climb Boston’s depth chart.
Early, meanwhile, has quickly built a reputation for intelligence and adaptability. His pitch-craft, feel for sequencing, and ability to induce soft contact make him the kind of pitcher who could excel in Fenway Park’s unique dimensions. However, Boston remains cautious about accelerating his development too quickly, especially considering his limited exposure to Major League hitters last year.
Beyond individual evaluation, Boston’s decision also reflects its broader organizational philosophy. The club believes it has one of the deepest rotations in baseball, and the competition for the final spot underscores a commitment to both present performance and future upside. While some teams might lean heavily on veteran incumbents, the Red Sox appear willing to embrace meritocracy—letting spring performance dictate outcomes even if it means surprising decisions.
For the rotation candidates, the message is unmistakably blunt: potential does not guarantee opportunity, and reputation alone will not dictate roster construction. Bailey and the coaching staff are prioritizing durability, execution, and adaptability—qualities crucial for navigating a 162-game season. With injuries inevitable and performance streaks unpredictable, the team needs depth that extends beyond star power and into sustainable craftsmanship.
As the spring schedule unfolds, every bullpen session, simulated inning, and live-game appearance will carry meaningful weight. Coaches will study how pitchers handle adversity, maintain tempo, execute secondary pitches, and recover between outings. The competition is not simply about who looks dominant—it’s about who can consistently support the rotation across a demanding season.
In the end, the Red Sox have framed the contest for the No. 5 rotation position as a defining storyline of their spring. They want a pitcher capable of contributing immediately but also someone who can adapt, evolve, and remain valuable when the club inevitably encounters injuries or fatigue later in the season. Whether the job goes to Oviedo’s power, Crawford’s reliability, Sandoval’s necessity, or the electrifying talent of Tolle or Early, Boston is placing performance above projection.
What began as a simple depth decision has quickly become one of the most intriguing competitions in all of Spring Training—a test not just of talent, but of readiness and resilience.
