White Sox Phenom Garrett Crochet Shatters Rookie Strikeout Record—Is He Baseball’s Next Ace?

Garrett Crochet labored through just 5⅓ innings before manager Alex Cora signaled to the bullpen in Wednesday’s 2-0 loss to the Mets, a hook that left the 25-year-old left-hander visibly frustrated but underscored Boston’s season-long plan to cap his workload. H2: Why the Red Sox keep Garrett Crochet on a short leash Cora revealed that Crochet’s pitch limit—set near 85—will remain in place until at least midsummer, citing the southpaw’s jump from 65 innings last year to a projected 170-plus in 2025. The organization believes incremental increases will safeguard the former first-round pick’s surgically repaired elbow while preserving his explosive 98-mph fastball for a potential postseason run. H2: A breakout campaign still in progress • 2025 ERA: 2.48 (7th-best in MLB) • Strikeouts: 84 in 72 IP • WHIP: 0.93 Those numbers cement Crochet as the Red Sox’ unexpected ace after the offseason trade that sent Chris Sale to Chicago. His whiff rate on the slider has climbed to 44 percent, the third-highest among qualified starters, and opponents are batting just .186 against his four-seam fastball. H2: Clubhouse reaction and player perspective Crochet admitted the early exit was “tough to swallow,” but emphasized trust in the coaching staff’s long-term vision. Veteran closer Liam Hendriks echoed that sentiment while noting the bullpen must shoulder a heavier load until Crochet is fully unleashed. H2: What’s next in the rotation Boston will slot an opener behind Crochet on his next turn to absorb the innings gap, while Nick Pivetta and Brayan Bello shuffle forward to keep everyone on four days’ rest. If the Sox advance their ace’s limit to around 100 pitches by late June, he could eclipse 200 strikeouts for the first time. H2: Fantasy and betting implications Managers in roto and daily leagues should expect fewer wins but elite ratios; pair Crochet with high-volume starters to balance innings. Sportsbooks have nudged his Cy Young odds from 40-1 to 18-1 this month, anticipating that even 160 elite innings could sway voters. H2: Bottom line Garrett Crochet’s abbreviated outings may frustrate fans in the moment, yet Boston’s calculated approach aims to deliver a fresh, dominant ace when it matters most this fall—a strategy that could redefine how contenders manage rising pitchers in the pitch-clock era.