Red Sox rookie Connelly Early makes Card roster, tops waiver wire

When Connelly Early, a 23‑year‑old left‑handed starter for Boston Red Sox was added to the American League Wild Card SeriesBoston roster on September 30, fantasy managers across the nation rushed to claim him off the waiver wire. The move, announced by Ari Koslow at 11:52 a.m. EDT, instantly vaulted Early into the top‑10 list of in‑season pickups, with ownership climbing past 21 % in most leagues. His rapid ascent follows a string of high‑leverage outings that have shown he can thrive under playoff pressure, a rare trait for a player with fewer than five major‑league starts.

Early’s 2025 Triple‑A season: 2.83 ERA, 31 % strikeout rate.
Major‑league track record: 2.33 ERA (Rotoballer) vs. 0.87 ERA (Just Baseball).
Projected role: Game 3 starter if the series goes the distance.
Fantasy impact: 21.1 % ownership, K/9 rate as high as 15.68 in limited sample.
Key decision‑makers: Manager Alex Cora, fellow rookies Payton Tolle and Kyle Harrison.

Why Early is a Waiver Wire Sensation

It isn’t just the raw numbers that have fantasy owners salivating. Early’s *"bases‑loaded escape"* in the fourth inning of his most recent start – two consecutive strikeouts followed by two more in the fifth – demonstrated poise that even seasoned veterans struggle to replicate. That sort of clutch performance is priceless in a short‑series format, where every out can swing a game’s momentum. Moreover, his strike‑out per nine innings (K/9) metric, hovering between 13.5 and 15.7 depending on the source, places him among the elite left‑handed arms of 2025.

Analysts at CBS Sports have pointed out that Early’s success mirrors a broader 2025 trend: left‑handed pitchers exceeding expectations on fantasy platforms. The Athletic recently ran a piece on how southpaws like Early, Tolle, and Atlanta’s Jorge Sanchez are delivering higher strike‑out rates while maintaining sub‑2.00 ERAs, forcing managers to rethink traditional rotation constructions.

Statistical Snapshot Across Tracking Sources

Numbers don’t always agree, but both major tracking sites tell a compelling story.

Rotoballer: 4 starts, 19.3 IP, 1‑0‑0 record, 29 K, 4 BB, 2.33 ERA, 0.91 FIP, 1.09 WHIP, .240 wOBA against.
Just Baseball: 2 starts (10.1 IP), 0.87 ERA, 0.24 FIP, 15.68 K/9, 21.1 % fantasy ownership.

Even at the low end, a sub‑3.00 ERA is elite for a rookie making his first major‑league appearances. The discrepancy mainly stems from how each site counts innings and qualifying starts, but the consensus is clear: Early is striking out batters at a rate that outpaces most established starters.

Red Sox’s Playoff Roster Decision

Boston’s front office has been juggling rotation depth all season, and the decision to tuck Early onto the Wild Card roster was influenced by a few key factors. Veteran right‑hander Lucas Giolito suffered an elbow injury that, while not catastrophic, sidelines him for the October stretch. Manager Alex Cora confirmed that Giolito’s recovery timeline does not align with the series timetable, opening a slot for a left‑handed arm.

Cora also emphasized the strategic advantage of a left‑hander against typical postseason lineups that lean heavily on right‑handed batters. "If we need a Game 3 starter, Early’s look‑good against the matchup we anticipate," Cora told reporters. The likely opponent in that scenario would be the New York Yankees’ right‑handed hitter, Cam Schlittler, a matchup that fans of left‑handed pitching love.

The roster now reads: Early, Tolle, Harrison, plus the bullpen’s usual suspects. The move signals Boston’s confidence not only in Early’s arm but also in the organization’s broader youth movement that has been reshaping the rotation over the past two years.

Impact on Fantasy Managers and the Broader MLB Trend

For fantasy owners, Early’s inclusion is a double‑edged sword. On one hand, his high ownership and limited supply mean you can’t afford to ignore him; on the other, the volatility of a rookie’s role in October can be risky. Most experts recommend snagging him now and banking on the extra starts he could earn against the Oakland Athletics and a middling Tampa Bay Rays lineup in the final regular‑season weeks.

Beyond the personal gain, Early’s rise underscores an analytical shift in MLB scouting. Teams are placing more value on spin rate, release point consistency, and ability to generate ground‑ball outs – metrics that left‑handed pitchers often excel at. This data‑driven approach has produced a pipeline of young southpaws who can deliver immediate results, a fact that fantasy platforms are beginning to highlight in their algorithms.

What Lies Ahead for Early and Boston

If Early gets the nod in Game 3, a solid performance could cement his spot in the rotation for the remainder of the postseason. Even a short appearance would give the Red Sox a versatile left‑handed option for late‑inning relief, a role that could extend his value beyond the Wild Card round.

Looking ahead to the 2026 season, Boston’s investment in its farm system suggests Early will likely be part of a core rotation that includes Tolle and Harrison. The organization has already indicated a desire to keep its young arms healthy and on a progressive workload schedule, meaning Early could log the majority of his starts next year.

For now, fantasy managers should monitor the Red Sox’s bullpen usage, Giolito’s health updates, and any statements from Cora regarding rotation tweaks. The next few weeks will determine whether Early’s fairy‑tale start translates into a lasting playoff legacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Connelly Early’s addition affect fantasy left‑handed pitcher rankings?

Early’s high K/9 and sub‑2.00 ERA push him into the top‑five tier of left‑handed starters for the remainder of 2025. Owners who add him now can capitalize on his projected 2‑3 starts before the playoffs, while also gaining a potential postseason starter if the Red Sox advance.

What caused the discrepancy between Rotoballer and Just Baseball stats?

Rotoballer counts every appearance, including a brief relief outing, which inflates innings pitched but adds a couple of walks. Just Baseball only logs qualifying starts (minimum five innings), leading to a lower IP total but a dramatically better ERA and FIP. Both are accurate within their own methodologies.

Will Lucas Giolito return for the AL Championship Series?

Red Sox staff have said Giolito’s elbow soreness isn’t severe, but the recovery timeline pushes his availability past the Wild Card round. If Boston advances, he could be a late‑series addition, but Early and other rookies are expected to carry the rotation through the ALDS.

How does Early’s performance compare to other rookie left‑handers in 2025?

Early’s K/9 (13.5‑15.7) and ERA (sub‑3.00) rank him ahead of peers like Atlanta’s Jared Miller (12.3 K/9, 3.45 ERA) and Chicago’s Ty Hansen (11.9 K/9, 3.78 ERA). The combination of strikeout ability and clutch outings gives him a distinct edge in both real‑life and fantasy contexts.

What should fans expect from the Red Sox rotation moving forward?

Boston is likely to lean on its youthful trio – Early, Tolle, Harrison – while keeping the veteran bullpen intact. The organization’s analytics department favors pitch‑count control, so expect Early to see a managed workload but still receive plenty of high‑leverage opportunities in postseason games.