Kutter Crawford: The Red Sox's Unsung Hero in 2026?
By Jordan Leandre
The Boston Red Sox's pitching overhaul may have overshadowed the story of 29-year-old right-hander Kutter Crawford, but he's poised to be the team's unsung hero in 2026.
Kutter Crawford, a former 16th-round pick, missed the entire 2025 season due to various injuries, making him something of a forgotten child in the Red Sox organization. In 2024, he had a tale of two halves, with a 3.00 ERA and 112 strikeouts in the first half, but a severe home run problem in the second half, resulting in a 6.59 ERA. This isn't the first time Crawford has entered an offseason with questions about his role, and 2025 was a make-or-break campaign that ultimately broke.
But here's where it gets interesting: even if Crawford's pathway to being a starter is potentially blocked, he still has opportunities to thrive for the Red Sox. His best season as an MLB pitcher came in 2023, when he spent much of the first half as a multi-inning reliever, posting a 1.66 ERA across eight outings. This multi-inning reliever role could be his ideal position, as it allows him to maximize his stuff and get the best out of his arsenal.
What makes Crawford effective? His delivery is a short-arm style, similar to former teammate Lucas Giolito, which helps him hide the ball for longer, especially against left-handed hitters. His secondaries, including his splitter and knuckle curve, were great in 2024, generating high whiff rates and keeping hitters off balance. His sweeper also kept right-handers at bay, with an overall opponent batting average of .143.
The ideal role for Crawford is unclear, as the only remaining member of the 2024 staff still in Boston going into 2026 is right-hander Brayan Bello. However, Crawford's multi-inning reliever role could be his best chance to contribute, as it allows him to pitch multiple high-quality innings and bridge the gap between starters and the bullpen. This role is crucial for the Red Sox, who need to prevent runs at an elite level to win games, especially with an awkward-looking lineup.
So, is Kutter Crawford the Red Sox's unsung hero in 2026? While his pathway to the rotation is unclear, his performance is critical to the health of the pitching staff. His multi-inning reliever role gives him a chance to pitch 100-plus innings on a good staff this year, and his ability to provide high-quality innings and bridge the gap between starters and the bullpen makes him an essential piece of the Red Sox's puzzle.
