TheBoston Red Soxare calling up top pitching prospectPayton Tolleto start Friday's game versus thePittsburgh Pirates. He'll be matched up against Pirates acePaul Skenesin his MLB debut. Boston is making the move as the team returns home froma 7-1 road tripthat moved them to within 3.5 games of the first-placeToronto Blue Jaysin the AL East. Tolle, 22, was the Red Sox's second-round pick in 2024 out of TCU, and he has rocketed through the minor-league system. He was ranked asthe team's No. 2 prospectby MLB.com. Overall this season, the left-hander has compiled a 3.44 ERA with 133 strikeouts in 91 2/3 innings. He began the year with high Single-A Greenville, striking out 14.9 batters per nine innings in 11 appearances before moving up to Double-A Portland (12.3 Ks/9 in six games). After three starts with Triple-A Worcester (10.2 Ks/9), Tolle is getting called up to the majors. The Red Sox have called up Payton Tolle! per.@Ken_RosenthalThe 6'6", 250-pound lefty generates nearly 7.5 feet of extension and features some of the best stuff in MiLB, with a deep five-pitch mix. In 15.0 IP at AAA, he posted a 28.8% K% and a 69.9% strike rate.pic.twitter.com/gu6dOIxiKe — Running From The OPS (@OPS_BASEBALL)August 28, 2025 That performance tracks with his numbers from his senior season at TCU, when he struck out 125 batters in 81 1/3 innings through 14 starts. Tolle generates top velocity with a longer extension that allows him to release the ball even closer to the hitter than many other pitchers. Tolle takes the fifth spot in the Red Sox's rotation, which was held by Walker Buehler beforehe was demoted to the bullpenlast week. "Obviously, making the jump all the way to Triple-A and still dominating hitters is really impressive," Red Sox pitching coach Andrew Baileytold The Athleticthis week. "So we know that it's elite extension and an elite four-seam [fastball], and again, just try to find something else to pair with it," he added. "But I think he can come up and dominate hitters with that fastball. We'll see where and when he arrives." Boston starting pitchers currently rank 10th in MLB with a 3.84 ERA. With a 3.37 bullpen ERA (third in MLB), the team is second in the majors with an overall 3.60 ERA. The Red Sox have been aggressive in calling up their top prospects this season to provide a boost while competing with the Blue Jays andNew York Yankeesin the AL East. Previously, Boston promoted infielders Kristian Campbell andMarcelo Mayer, in addition to outfieldersRoman AnthonyandJhostynxon Garcia. That youth movement has seen varying levels of success so far. If Tolle brings the sort of impact to the team that Anthony has (.857 OPS, 18 doubles, 7 homers, 29 RBI), the Red Sox will be overjoyed.