Red Sox’s Connelly Early Reaches Development Goals, Well, Early
Lefthander Connelly Early remembers exactly how hard he threw as a Virginia junior.
“Ninety on the dot,” he chuckled of his average fastball velocity.
But since the Red Sox drafted him in the fifth round in 2023, Early has been one of the most committed participants in the organization’s offseason training program. In each of the past two offseasons, Early and Kristian Campbell had perfect attendance at offseason training programs in Fort Myers, Fla.
Boston’s prospect development camps run from the end of the minor league season through the start of spring training, with a break for the required dark period from mid November until the new year.
The results have been obvious and significant in both the power and shapes of Early’s pitches.
“Literally every time we give him a player plan goal, he knocks it off,” Red Sox director of pitching Justin Willard said. “He’s the goal crusher.
“Every time you set a new benchmark for him, he’s like, ‘OK, cool, I got that one.’ And then you move it again.”
Early’s four-seam fastball averaged 93 mph and topped out at 96 in 2024. This spring, he often sat at 94 mph while topping out near 97, his fastball serving as the foundation of a five-pitch mix that allows him to attack all parts of the strike zone.
He shows an excellent changeup with armside fade, as well as a sweeper, cutter and curveball.
In 23 starts split between High-A Greenville and Double-A Portland in 2024, Early posted a 3.99 ERA with a 31% strikeout rate and 9% walk rate. His 54% groundball rate helped him avoid damage—he allowed just seven home runs in 103 innings.
Early’s performance and pitch mix increasingly look like those of a potential big league starter—and possibly later this season.
“I hope that happens this year, of course,” Early said. “I just want to be the best version of myself I can be, and see where that takes me.”
SOX YARNS
— Roman Anthony is getting the majority of his playing time with Triple-A Worcester in left field, while also seeing time in center and right.
— Marcelo Mayer is primarily playing shortstop but also seeing time at second and third base with Worcester.
