Garrett Crochet’s First Season With the Red Sox Is One for the Record Books
BOSTON — When the Boston Red Sox acquired left-hander Garrett Crochet last winter, they believed they were adding a high-upside starter who could help stabilize their rotation. What they didn’t expect was a debut season so dominant it would rewrite expectations for years to come.
Crochet, 25, finished his first year in Boston with 15 wins, a 2.57 ERA, 185.1 innings pitched, and 228 strikeouts—numbers that place him among the American League’s elite. From Opening Day through the season’s final week, he combined overpowering fastballs with pinpoint control, quickly becoming the unquestioned ace of the staff.
“He’s been everything we hoped for and more,” manager Alex Cora said. “Every fifth day, the clubhouse knows we’ve got a great chance to win.”
The lefty’s presence transformed the Red Sox rotation. His 97-mph fastball and sharp slider kept hitters off balance, but it was his efficiency that impressed teammates most. Crochet walked just 42 batters all season, consistently working deep into games and giving the bullpen a much-needed break.
Boston fans embraced him instantly. Fenway Park crowds stood and roared with every strikeout, and Crochet often tipped his cap in appreciation. “The support here is incredible,” he said. “You feel the energy every time you take the mound.”
His arrival couldn’t have come at a better time for a Red Sox team looking to stay in the playoff hunt. Crochet delivered quality starts against division rivals New York and Baltimore and saved some of his best performances for high-stakes matchups down the stretch. In late August, he struck out 12 Yankees over eight scoreless innings, a signature moment that solidified his reputation as a big-game pitcher.
Veteran catcher Connor Wong praised Crochet’s preparation and poise. “He’s got the stuff, no question,” Wong said. “But it’s how he studies hitters and stays calm in tight spots that sets him apart.”
Crochet’s success also sparked optimism about Boston’s future. With young hitters like Triston Casas and Ceddanne Rafaela emerging and Crochet anchoring the rotation, the Red Sox appear positioned to compete in the American League East for years to come.
“I just want to keep improving,” Crochet said. “The goal is to help this team win championships.”
For a franchise steeped in pitching legends, Crochet’s first season stands out as a reminder that sometimes the perfect fit arrives when least expected. If this year is any indication, Red Sox fans can look forward to many more nights when Garrett Crochet takes the ball and delivers a masterpiece.
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