The Boston Red Sox’s trade for Garrett Crochet was one of the biggest moves of the offseason. In an effort to revamp a pitching staff that struggled mightily in 2024, the Sox sent a huge package of prospects, including Kyle Teel and Braden Montgomery, to the White Sox in exchange for Crochet.
Although the trade has been questioned at times, the Red Sox just got a big boost of confidence from an article in The Athletic. The article ranked the top 50 pitchers in MLB for 2025, and Crochet was ranked sixth, behind only Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes, Zack Wheeler, Chris Sale and Corbin Burnes. That’s what you call good company, especially since Crochet has only thrown 219 innings in his big league career. Meanwhile, he’s ranked ahead of established veterans like Max Fried, Logan Webb and Blake Snell.
The trade for Crochet has been doubted for a variety of reasons. Firstly, the price that the Red Sox paid in blue-chip prospects was seen by many as too steep. For instance, Joel Reuter ranked the Red Sox’ farm system as just the 12th best in MLB in the wake of the trade. Not only that, but Crochet’s desire for an extension clashed with the Sox’ aversion to long-term extensions for pitchers.
The Athletic ranks Red Sox’s Garrett Crochet among the best pitchers in the league
But despite all of this noise, Crochet is in Boston and he’s ready to compete. He looked unhittable in spring training, posted a solid first start in a Sox uniform, and he’s been outstanding throughout his career when healthy. In 2024, his first full season, Crochet pitched to a 3.58 ERA with 209 strikeouts in 146 innings. He has some of the best swing and miss stuff in baseball, as he struck out over 35% of the batters he faced last year. In keeping with that superior command, he walked just 5.5% of hitters.
Due to his electric fastball and tremendous command, there’s no reason to believe Crochet can’t be even better in the 2025 season if he remains healthy. The Athletic’s assessment, even if it might seem slightly bullish, is a reflection of Crochet’s potential to be one of the best pitchers in MLB.
