Every time Hayden Mullins climbs the hill in Portland these days, the Red Sox trade for Adley Rutschman looks a little less painful.
That’s not because Boston got the better of Baltimore in the deal - far from it. The return still feels hefty, and the early returns have only made that easier to see. But Mullins, Boston’s current No. 27 prospect per MLB.com, has started to change the conversation from the Red Sox side by giving the system a badly needed lift.
Rutschman is back in Baltimore this weekend for the first time since the August 3 trade, and that figures to be an emotional stretch for him. His pro career had belonged entirely to the Orioles, from being the No. 1 overall pick in 2019 to his 2022 debut and three All-Star seasons, until it suddenly didn’t. That sort of return always serves as a reminder of how quickly everything can shift.
It also keeps the focus on what Boston gave up. The Red Sox sent Anthony Eyanson, then their No. 2 prospect, along with Kyson Witherspoon and Enddy Azocar to Baltimore to bring in the All-Star catcher through next season, unless extension talks are already on the table for this offseason.
CBS Sports called it “a ton to surrender.” So far, all three pieces have looked strong in the Orioles’ system, which makes any final judgment feel premature.
Mullins has at least given Boston something to point to. Since the deadline, he’s been the best pitcher in the organization.
Over his last five starts, dating back to August 6, he has allowed one earned run or fewer in every outing. That run included a six-inning shutout on September 2, when he punched out a career-high 10 hitters.
The full stretch has been even better. Since August 1, Mullins has allowed just three earned runs in 26⅓ innings for a 1.03 ERA, with 39 strikeouts and nine walks. His season ERA has come down to 4.15.
Command has long been the issue hanging over his profile, and some evaluators have pegged him as a fourth starter at best because of it. Lately, though, he’s been quieting that concern. In his last three outings, he has walked exactly one batter each time.
None of that changes the fact that Boston paid a steep price to upgrade behind the plate. Eyanson has been nearly untouchable in Baltimore’s system, Witherspoon has caught fire and is dominating, and Azocar is hitting close to .360 since the trade. But while those names keep building their own cases elsewhere, Mullins is making one of his own in Portland.
He began the year ranked 16th in the system, fell down the board, and is now climbing back up just as quickly. With some of Boston’s other arms now wearing Orioles uniforms, the Red Sox need that kind of surge. Mullins is making it harder to forget him.
In Other News...
Red Sox Pitching Depth Could Get A Huge Late Boost
Patrick Corbins season appears finished before it ever really got going, with Blue Jays manager John Schneider confirming the veteran left-hander is unlikely to pitch again in 2026 because of a teres major strain. Corbin had already been shifted to the 60-day injured list in August after first going on the 15-day IL in July, and the latest update adds another reminder of how quickly a pitching staff can lose a depth arm to a lingering shoulder issue.
For the Red Sox, the broader injury picture is worth watching because it includes several names tied to the pitching mix around the league and in Bostons own orbit, including Garrett Crochet, Tanner Houck and Johan Oviedo. In a season where every healthy arm matters, any late movement on that front can ripple through the rotation and bullpen plans, which is why updates like this continue to draw attention even when the news is coming from another clubhouse. [Read more 🡒]
Red Sox Bullpen Just Took A Late-Season Turn Fans Feared
The Red Sox had started to get a little optimism around the back end of their bullpen, but Justin Slatens latest setback has slowed that momentum again. After beginning to throw as he worked back from injury, the right-hander has been shut down once more because of recurring inflammation in his right elbow, a frustrating turn for a pitcher who had been inching toward a return.
Bostons relief corps still owns a strong bullpen ERA, which has helped steady the club even with Slaten unavailable. There is some possible help on the way, though the timeline is still fluid, with Tanner Houck and Garrett Crochet both making progress in rehab assignments and potentially factoring into the bullpen later in the season. [Read more 🡒]
Red Sox Face A Tough Ranger Suarez Decision At The Worst Time
Bostons rotation is reaching the point of the season when every start carries extra weight, and the recent signs of fatigue have only sharpened the pressure on the clubs pitching choices. Some arms have been laboring in recent outings, and that has put a spotlight on Ranger Suarez, whose place in any playoff plan is suddenly up for debate at a time when the Red Sox can least afford a misstep.
Jonathan Papelbon has already made his preference clear, saying he would leave Suarez out of a postseason rotation after the left-handers recent issues. Still, Suarez brings a track record that matters in October, with a low ERA and WHIP in the playoffs that suggests he can handle the moment even if the recent results have been uneven, leaving Boston with a decision that is as uncomfortable as it is important. [Read more 🡒]