Connelly Early

Connelly Early, 24-year-old left-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, has emerged as a stabilizing force in the rotation after being called up on March 29, 2026. Early made 126-year MLB history by becoming the first pitcher since 1900 to allow three or fewer runs and five or fewer hits in 11 of his first 12 career games. Most recently, he delivered a career-high seven shutout innings against the Tampa Bay Rays on May 8, 2026, striking out eight while allowing just four hits and one walk. Early escaped a bases-loaded jam in the third inning with a strikeout and double play. Through nine starts this season, he has posted a 3-2 record with a 3.21 ERA and 1.20 WHIP across 47 2/3 innings with 45 strikeouts. He has shown particular effectiveness in his last two outings, allowing just two earned runs and one walk while striking out 14 across 12 innings. Early was a fifth-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft out of the University of Virginia and had an excellent minor league season in 2025 with a 2.60 ERA in 21 appearances.