Red Sox's Top Pitching Prospect Shares Hilarious Quote on Trying to Make MLB Roster

Payton Tolle has an amusing mindset as he aims to crack the Red Sox's opening day roster.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Payton Tolle, the Boston Red Sox's top pitching prospect, shared a hilarious quote about his mindset heading into spring training and his goal of making the MLB team. Tolle said he's "fighting like the third monkey trying to get on the ark and it's starting to rain" as he tries to put himself in the best position to be one of the 26 players on the Red Sox's opening day roster.

Why it matters

Tolle is one of the Red Sox's top young talents, and his ability to make the MLB roster out of spring training could have a big impact on the team's pitching depth and rotation plans for the 2026 season.

The details

Tolle, the Red Sox's No. 2 prospect in 2025 and MLB Pipeline's No. 19 overall prospect for 2026, had a meteoric rise through three minor league levels to make his MLB debut with Boston last year. He had 133 strikeouts and a 3.04 ERA in over 91 minor league innings, but posted a 6.06 ERA with 19 strikeouts in seven major league appearances. With the Red Sox bolstering their rotation in the offseason, Tolle will likely start the 2026 season at Triple-A, but could be in consideration for the opening day roster if he has a strong spring or if other Boston starters get injured.

  • Tolle made his MLB debut with the Red Sox in 2025.
  • Tolle had 133 strikeouts and a 3.04 ERA in over 91 minor league innings in 2025.
  • The Red Sox signed Ranger Suárez to a five-year deal and traded for Sonny Gray in the offseason to bolster their rotation.

The players

Payton Tolle

The Boston Red Sox's No. 2 prospect in 2025 and MLB Pipeline's No. 19 overall prospect for 2026.

Ranger Suárez

A pitcher the Red Sox signed to a five-year deal in the offseason to bolster their rotation.

Sonny Gray

A three-time All-Star pitcher the Red Sox traded for in the offseason to bolster their rotation.

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What they’re saying

“Fight like you're the third monkey trying to get on the ark and it's starting to rain. I'm trying to work hard to do what I can today because I can't control what happens in two months. I'm gonna have to work with what I can do right now and then stack days on top of another and, you know, whatever happens, happens. They're gonna take the best 26 guys that we have, and if I put myself in a good position, then sure, hopefully I am one of the 26.”

— Payton Tolle (Baseball Isn't Boring podcast)

“I saw it on a shirt once.”

— Payton Tolle (Baseball Isn't Boring podcast)

What’s next

If Tolle has a strong spring training or any other Boston starters get injured, he could be in consideration to crack the opening day rotation.

The takeaway

Tolle's hilarious quote about his mindset heading into spring training highlights the competitive nature of trying to make an MLB roster, especially for a top pitching prospect like himself. While he'll likely start the 2026 season in the minors, Tolle could play a key role for the Red Sox if he continues to develop and seizes any opportunities that arise.