October 7, 2026 at 12:00 PM
2026 SoxProspects.com Awards: Graduate, Homegrown, and Ex-Prospect
We continue our SoxProspects.com Awards coverage with the 2026 Graduate, Homegrown Player(s), and Ex-Prospect of the Year. The Graduate of the Year led the Red Sox in strikeouts as a rookie. The two Homegrown Players of the Year were among the best defensive outfielders in baseball. The Ex-Prospect of the Year, meanwhile, put together a resurgent season in Arizona.
-----
After debuting at the major-league level late last summer, Tolle (pictured, left) entered 2026 as the organization's top pitching prospect and one of the top pitching prospects in baseball. The 23-year-old left-hander did not make Boston's starting rotation out of spring training and instead opened the season in Worcester. He made three starts for the WooSox, allowing eight runs (five earned) in 15 innings, before getting the call back up on April 23.
With Garrett Crochet sidelined by injury, Tolle emerged as a key member of Boston's rotation behind veterans Sonny Gray and Ranger Suarez. The 6-foot-6, 250-pound lefty made 26 starts for the Red Sox, posting a 3.03 ERA with a team-high 171 strikeouts to 40 walks over 148 2/3 innings. Opponents batted .222 against him. His 36.4% chase rate ranked in the 96th percentile among all big-league pitchers this season, according to Baseball Savant.
Highlights from Tolle's season include a 14-strikeout outing against the Athletics on August 7, two other double-digit strikeout performances against the Orioles and Yankees, and throwing an immaculate first inning against the Royals on September 13. He capped his rookie campaign by striking out four over 4 2/3 innings of one-run ball in a losing effort against the Yankees in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series on September 29.
Given that body of work, particularly during the regular season, it would not be surprising to see Tolle receive some votes for American League Rookie of the Year when the results are announced in November.
-----
We could not decide on one winner here, so Abreu (pictured, left) and Rafaela (pictured, below left) are sharing the honor after putting together career years in 2026.
Abreu, 27, played in a career-high and team-best 157 games this season. The left-handed hitter led the American League with 38 doubles as he batted .248/.327/.446 with four triples, 24 home runs, 76 RBIs, 81 runs scored, eight stolen bases, 71 walks, and 141 strikeouts over 681 plate appearances. On the other side of the ball, he led all American League right fielders in assists (13) and defensive runs saved (28), making his case for a third straight Gold Glove Award at the position.
Rafaela, 26, was a first-time All-Star this season. Long known for his defense, the Curacao native had his best season with the bat, slashing .283/.319/.442 with 32 doubles, three triples, 16 home runs, 70 RBIs, 67 runs scored, 17 stolen bases, 22 walks, and 117 strikeouts over 138 games (576 plate appearances). He missed time in September due to a right quadriceps strain, but still paced all American League center fielders in assists (eight) and defensive runs saved (21), putting himself in position for a second straight Gold Glove Award. Rafaela was a two-time SoxProspects.com Minor League Player of the Year, winning in both 2022 and 2023.
-----
Ex-Prospect of the Year (Former Red Sox prospect who is no longer in the organization. Can be based on MLB/MiLB performance): Eduardo Rodriguez
Rodriguez (pictured, right) is the third different ex-Red Sox prospect to receive this award over the last three seasons, joining Rafael Devers and four-time winner Mookie Betts. The 33-year-old left-hander enjoyed a resurgent 2026 campaign with Arizona and, like Rafaela, was rewarded with his first All-Star selection. He forged a 2.89 ERA with a team-high 143 strikeouts to 62 walks in 32 starts (189 2/3 innings) for the Diamondbacks. Opposing hitters batted .240 against him as he excelled in limiting hard contact. Rodriguez served as the cornerstone of a Diamondbacks rotation that got only 10 1/3 innings from Corbin Burnes and middling seasons from veteran stalwarts Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly. He did not miss a start as Arizona remained in playoff contention until the final day of the regular season.
Photo Credit: Payton Tolle, Wilyer Abreu, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Eduardo Rodriguez by Kelly O'Connor