Former Tennessee Vols LHP Garrett Crochet generated plenty of headlines earlier this week when he signed a six year extension with the Boston Red Sox worth $170 million.
Crochet, who was traded from the Chicago White Sox to the Red Sox ahead of the 2025 season, received the extension despite the fact that prior to this year, he had only started 32 career games since making his MLB debut in 2020. His lack of starting experience led to the extension receiving some criticism.
The former Vol, however, quickly silenced the critics in his first start after signing the extension with one of the best performances of the young season.
Crochet tossed eight innings while striking out eight and giving up just four hits in Boston’s 3-0 win against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday.
You never know how a pitcher will hold up over the length of a longterm contract, but Crochet quickly proved he’s an “ace” via his performance against one of Boston’s top AL East rivals.
“Essentially what [the Red Sox] are doing are investing in what they see,” said Tennessee baseball coach Tony Vitello earlier this week. “First, with the trade, and then obviously he’s around them with work ethic and other things. They’re saying, like, ‘Oh, we were right with the trade. We want to be right again.’ So kudos to him. And obviously we’re happy for the organization.”
Crochet, who is just entering his prime at 25 years old, appears poised to be one of the game’s top starting pitchers for at least the next half decade.
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