Connelly Early remains a consistent force as the Red Sox search for answers

Apr 26, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Connelly Early (71) throws during the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

The Boston Red Sox have not gotten off to the start they were hoping for. With postseason aspirations, the club has failed to get much of anything going, resulting in a 12-19 record while sitting in the basement of the AL East. 

The front office decided it was time to gut nearly the entire coaching staff. From manager Alex Cora to the MLB hitting strategy coach, Joe Cronin, they are all gone and will be searching for new jobs.

On top of that, the team is dealing with a few injuries. Sonny Gray, Garrett Crochet, Justin Slaten, Kutter Crawford, Tanner Houck, and Johan Oviedo are all on the IL dealing with various injuries. 

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Connelly Early remains a consistent force as the Red Sox search for answers

Now, if you're a Red Sox fan looking for something to cheer about, not all hope is lost. Connelly Early has been great in the rotation so far this season. 

He has started six games, compiling a 2-1 record with a 2.84 ERA with 28 strikeouts on 31.2 innings of work. 

Bleacher Report's Tim Kelly is impressed with what he has seen, and the young left-hander has cracked his top-15 in his latest rookie power rankings piece. 

"Early got outpitched by Cam Schlittler in Game 3 of last year's ALWCS with the New York Yankees, but the lefty has come back with a vengeance early in 2026. Over his first six starts, Early has just a 2.84 ERA. For as much as has gone wrong with the Red Sox early in 2026, the 24-year-old lefty has been a bright spot."

Kelly places Early as the No. 15 rookie right now. He holds the lowest ERA on the team, and it will be on him to maintain this presence and keep stepping up, especially with Crochet sidelined.

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