Connelly Early is a left-handed pitcher drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the fifth round of the 2023 MLB Draft. He played college baseball at Virginia and made his MLB debut on September 9, 2025, for the Red Sox. Early quickly established himself in the Red Sox starting rotation and has been notable for his strong pitching stats in the 2025 season, including a 2.33 ERA over his first four MLB starts. He is regarded as a top prospect for the Red Sox, ranked No. 6 by MLB Pipeline, and was tasked with starting in the critical AL Wild Card Series against the New York Yankees in October 2025. Early has a reputation for durability, solid pitchability, and athleticism with a potential mid-rotation ceiling in MLB starting pitching.
Background and Early Career
- Born April 3, 2002, in Midlothian, VA.
- Played college baseball at the University of Virginia.
- Drafted in the 5th round (151st overall) by the Red Sox in 2023.
- Was a standout pitcher in college with multiple All-America honors.
- Initially started his college career at Army, then transferred to Virginia.
Professional Career Highlights
- Made MLB debut in September 2025.
- Quickly became a part of the Red Sox rotation due to injuries in the pitching staff.
- Posted strong early MLB stats with a 2.33 ERA after first four starts, striking out 29 batters in 19.1 innings.
- Noted for a strong changeup and varied pitching arsenal including slider and curveball.
- Played in both minor and major leagues during 2023-2025 with improving performance.
- Has already pitched in high-pressure playoff situations, including a winner-take-all game against the Yankees.
Connelly Early represents a promising young pitcher for the Boston Red Sox with potential to develop into a reliable starter.
