The journey of Garrett Crochet in Boston's baseball history has been nothing short of remarkable, placing him firmly in the spotlight as a rising star—and yet, there's still more to the story than meets the eye. Recently, Crochet’s impressive performance and potential have sparked conversations about the future dominance of Boston’s pitching lineup. But here's where it gets controversial: Can Crochet truly become Boston’s next legendary ace, standing alongside icons like Clemens and Martinez, or will he face challenges that stop him from reaching the pinnacle? This is the part most people miss, and it's worth exploring.
For decades, the Red Sox have been synonymous with standout pitching talents—from Roger Clemens, whose fierce fastball struck fear into opponents, to Pedro Martinez, whose razor-sharp command revolutionized the mound. Curt Schilling’s clutch postseason performances, Jon Lester’s resilience, and Chris Sale’s overpowering stuff—each has contributed to a proud tradition of pitching excellence. Now, in just his first full season with Boston, Garrett Crochet has demonstrated that he could be the next in line to carry that torch.
And this isn’t just idle speculation—Crochet’s performance makes a compelling case. With a strong track record that places him among some of the league’s best, Crochet’s accolades are notable. It's also useful to see his rise in context: the all-time Cy Young Award winners list (linked for reference) features some of baseball’s most legendary pitchers, and Crochet’s breakthrough season hints at the potential he holds.
In the 2025 season, left-hander Tarik Skubal from Detroit took home the Cy Young Award for the second consecutive year, earning 26 first-place votes and finishing with a total of 198 points. Crochet, on the other hand, garnered four first-place votes along with 26 second-place votes, accumulating 132 points. While he missed out on the top prize—and became only the second Red Sox pitcher since Rick Porcello in 2016 to challenge for the award—his season was nothing short of exceptional.
A defining moment that remains vivid in fans’ memories didn’t even factor into his Cy Young campaign but showcased his potential. After signing a hefty six-year, $170 million extension with Boston early in the season, Crochet took on the role of a true frontline starter. Over the course of 32 starts, he posted an 18-5 record with an outstanding 2.59 ERA, and led the AL with 205⅓ innings pitched. His durability and ability to consistently deliver deep into games are qualities characteristic of elite pitchers.
Moreover, Crochet led the American League with an impressive 11.18 strikeouts per nine innings (K/9) and finished the season with a total of 255 strikeouts—showcasing his power and command. His statistical performance extended beyond counting stats; he ranked high in crucial categories such as WHIP (fifth place) and opponents’ batting average (eighth place). Notably, his strikeout-to-walk ratio (K/BB) of 5.54 was better than all but one pitcher in the league—Skubal, who boasted a 7.30 ratio.
Beyond surface numbers, deeper analysis reveals just how dominant Crochet was according to advanced metrics. He ranked in the 90th percentile or higher in Statcast categories including pitching run value, fastball run value, breaking run value, expected ERA, and chase rate—indicators of his effectiveness and ability to generate swings and misses.
His season was marked by streaks of excellence: starting with a game on June 1 where he struck out 12 batters over seven innings, allowing just one run during a pivotal win against Atlanta. He helped extend a winning streak to nine games on July 12 by pitching a complete game shutout against Tampa Bay—walking none and striking out nine. In the crucial matchups against the Yankees late in the season, Crochet maintained a 2.11 ERA over three starts, striking out 30 batters over 21⅓ innings, establishing himself as a formidable opponent.
Crochet's impact was so significant that the Boston chapter of the BBWAA named him the team’s Most Valuable Player for the season—an honor indicating how highly he was valued and recognized for his contributions.
But here's the controversial point: Despite his outstanding campaign, Crochet finished just short of the Cy Young trophy. Does this mean he isn’t capable of someday overtaking the league’s best? Or does it suggest that true ace status isn’t just about numbers, but also about consistency, postseason success, and adaptability? The debate is open. Could Crochet become Boston’s next true pitching legend, or will new challenges emerge that push him back down the ranks?
As Crochet prepares to anchor Boston’s rotation through 2032 following his substantial contract, fans and analysts alike are eager to see if this season was merely the beginning of a long, storied career. His availability—highlighted by his ability to pitch deep into games and stay healthy—remains one of his greatest assets. But will this translate into sustained success and an eventual Cy Young win?
To many, Crochet's story is inspiring—a reminder of how a young pitcher can rise rapidly when talent and opportunity align. Yet, the path to legendary status is fraught with hurdles, and not all promising careers reach the heights they seem destined for.
What do you think? Is Garrett Crochet truly on track to become Boston’s next dominant ace, or are there flaws that could prevent him from reaching the ultimate heights? Drop your thoughts below and join the conversation—because in baseball, sometimes the most exciting debates are about the players who just might redefine the game.
