Payton Tolle has already earned a nod from one of the game’s biggest names.
CC Sabathia, the former Cy Young winner and longtime Yankees ace, recently weighed in on the Boston Red Sox rookie and made it clear he’s a fan of what he sees. Speaking through The Boston Globe, Sabathia singled out Tolle’s personality and the way he goes after hitters as two traits that stand out to him.
“I love watching him, and I love his personality. I don’t think I could have pitched the way he does.
I was always way more emotional and upset… He’s top of the league as far as stuff goes. I love the way he attacks guys,” Sabathia said.
Sabathia’s praise carried extra weight because he framed it around the difference between their styles. He said he was far more emotional on the mound during his own career, while Tolle has impressed him with the way he carries himself and challenges opposing batters.
He also didn’t soften his view of Tolle’s arsenal, putting the rookie in elite company when it comes to pure stuff.
That’s a strong endorsement from someone who spent 19 seasons in the majors, won the 2007 American League Cy Young Award and was part of the Yankees’ 2009 World Series championship team.
Tolle is still in the process of carving out his place at the major league level, but getting that kind of praise from Sabathia is another sign that the young left-hander is drawing attention fast.
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