Garrett Crochet’s Evolving Arsenal Could Elevate Him to the Next Tier in 2026
The Boston Red Sox might have their share of question marks heading into the 2026 season, but Garrett Crochet isn’t one of them. In fact, if his offseason work is any indication, he might be the answer to a few.
Fresh off a breakout campaign that saw him finish second in Cy Young voting, Crochet didn’t spend the winter resting on his laurels. Instead, he went back to work-this time at an unlikely location: Vanderbilt University.
The irony? Crochet is a proud Tennessee Volunteer, and the Commodores are their longtime SEC rivals.
But rivalries don’t mean much when you’re chasing greatness.
Crochet trained with Tyler Herb, a former pro pitcher turned Vanderbilt staffer, using the offseason to fine-tune his game. One conversation in particular stood out.
Crochet approached Herb with a specific goal: “I wish I could do this a little bit like Tarik Skubal.” That’s no small ask-Skubal, now a two-time Cy Young winner, has become one of the most complete pitchers in the game.
Herb’s response? A subtle but impactful tweak to Crochet’s changeup grip-shifting it toward a splitter-style grip.
And that small adjustment could have massive implications.
A New Weapon in the Toolbox
Crochet barely used his changeup in 2025-just about 4% of the time-but even with limited usage, it showed promise with a solid whiff rate. Now, with a splitter grip that’s showing sharper drop and later movement in early bullpen sessions, that pitch could go from afterthought to difference-maker.
The comparison to Skubal is more than just stylistic. Like Crochet, Skubal didn’t come into the league with a dominant changeup.
But once he developed a reliable offspeed pitch to complement his heat and slider, he became nearly unhittable. That’s the blueprint Crochet is chasing.
Of course, the physical tweak was only part of the process. Mentally, Crochet had to get over a long-held hesitation.
Many young pitchers are taught to be wary of splitter grips due to concerns about arm strain. But with Herb’s guidance and plenty of reps, Crochet found a version that feels natural and sustainable-something he can trust deep into counts and tight situations.
Building on a Dominant 2025
Let’s not forget: Crochet didn’t exactly need a new pitch to be elite. His 2025 numbers speak for themselves-a 2.59 ERA, an AL-leading 11.2 K/9, and a league-best 255 strikeouts. He was electric from start to finish, overpowering hitters with a high-octane fastball and a sweeping breaking ball that left hitters guessing.
But Crochet isn’t satisfied with being elite for one season. “One good year doesn't make you a great player.
I've got to earn my stripes every year,” he said. That mindset-combined with his talent-is what separates good pitchers from the great ones.
So while the splitter has grabbed headlines, it’s not the only thing he’s been working on. He’s also focused on refining his fastball command and tightening up his four-seam delivery. That’s the kind of attention to detail that shows Crochet isn’t just trying to repeat 2025-he’s trying to surpass it.
What It Means for 2026
If the new splitter plays in Grapefruit League action, it could become a legitimate weapon in Crochet’s already loaded arsenal. With his velocity, his sweeping slider, and now a pitch that dives late and disrupts timing, Crochet could be even more lethal-especially late in counts when hitters are guessing.
And for Red Sox fans, that’s a tantalizing thought. In a division where pitching depth is at a premium, having a potential ace who’s still evolving could be a game-changer.
Crochet already has the stuff to dominate. Now, with a more complete arsenal and a relentless work ethic, he’s chasing something bigger than just another strong season-he’s chasing greatness.
If he gets there, the rest of the league better be ready.