Garrett Crochet has been everything the Red Sox hoped for and more. After arriving in Boston with heavy expectations and a fresh extension, the 26-year-old lefty has rapidly evolved from high-upside project to clubhouse cornerstone. But just before the All-Star break, it wasn’t his pitch count or strikeout total grabbing headlines; it was something far more telling: the way his manager chose to speak about him.

Alex Cora, never one to offer empty praise, delivered a pointed message about Crochet’s presence and purpose. The timing was perfect as the focus turned to Atlanta and the All-Star celebrations; Coras redirected the conversation back to the dugout with his words capturing attention not for his commendation but also for his choice of comparison.

“He’s very similar to Alex [Bregman] in that sense,” Cora said. “Him and Walker Buehler, well, Walker has more experience obviously, but he is very smart. With the contract, stuff comes with the territory. You have to be that guy. We haven’t had a guy like that in a while. We’ve had some good ones throughout the years. Now that he is here, he is on the Red Sox, he’s doing an amazing job.”

That’s not a throwaway quote, it’s a challenge wrapped in respect. Comparing Crochet to Bregman, one of MLB’s fiercest competitors and vocal leaders, speaks volumes. Further, Crochet heads into the All-Star break with a 2.23 ERA, looking like the ace the Red Sox envisioned they were acquiring back in December from the White Sox. He even leads the majors in innings (128⅓) and strikeouts (160).

And even in some sense, the pitcher has quickly become the pitching staff’s Bregman. Both Bregman and Crochet have found themselves in leadership roles despite being two of the club’s newest additions. The 31-year-old brings with him a wealth of experience as he has spent 10 years in the league, while Crochet has been in the league since 2020. He is only 26 years old and is an ace.

But Cora didn’t stop there. He highlighted the intangibles: Crochet staying active in the dugout, mentoring fellow pitchers like Greg Weissert, and leading in a way that transcends his age. “The leader, to be honest with you. Every five days, we know he’s going to be on the mound. But what he’s doing in the clubhouse, you see him in the dugout, he’s always into games, talking to pitchers.”

And his most recent benefactor was Greg Weissert. After pitching a scoreless sixth inning in Friday’s win over the Rays, the 30-year-old was unhappy with his slider, and naturally, he went seeking Crochet’s advice. The result? The starting pitcher talked about grips with the reliever in the dugout.

In a team still carving out its post-Bogaerts, post-Sale identity, Crochet’s emergence is more than just a storyline; it’s a foundation. And when asked about how rare it is for someone his age to lead like this, Cora’s response doubled down: “When you sign that line, he wanted to do that. He wanted to be here. He understands what comes with that, and he’s been great.”

Crochet may be skipping the All-Star Game, but he’s made his case where it matters most in the clubhouse, on the mound, and now, in the eyes of his manager.

Garrett Crochet pitches a masterpiece as Red Sox win ninth straight

Garrett Crochet walked off the mound Saturday afternoon to a Fenway ovation that felt more like October than July. The 26-year-old lefty didn’t just dominate, he delivered the kind of start that makes teammates believe and opponents uneasy. Tossing his first career complete game and shutout, Crochet delivered a precise total of 100 pitches, with impeccable control registering nine strikeouts without issuing any walks and conceding merely three inconsequential hits. In a contested 1–0 game against the Tampa Bay Rays, where each pitch held significance, his accuracy never missed.

The performance couldn’t have come at a better time. With the Red Sox already dealing with the emotional blow of losing Hunter Dobbins to an ACL tear earlier in the series, they didn’t just need a good start; they needed a tone-setter. Crochet stepped in like a seasoned ace, pitching with purpose, pacing the game, and refusing to let Tampa Bay breathe. It was his ninth outing this season of seven or more innings and the third time he’s gone eight-plus, but this was different. This time, he closed the book himself.

As the ninth inning approached and the Fenway crowd caught wind of the milestone unfolding, Crochet jogged back out with 93 pitches and that same calm fire he’s carried all season. No theatrics, no shaking off signs, just three quick outs and a quiet fist pump. For a guy who skipped the All-Star Game to rest his arm for the second half, he looked anything but tired.

And as Boston notched its ninth straight win, Crochet reminded everyone he’s not just a breakout story, he’s the backbone of a team that’s starting to believe in something bigger.