The Red Sox have promoted pitching prospect Gage Ziehl from Double-A Portland to Triple-A Worcester, per the club’s MiLB.com transactions log.
Ziehl is currently regarded by MLB Pipeline as Boston’s No. 17 prospect, ranking eighth among pitchers in the system. The 23-year-old right-hander has spent all of 2026 to this point with Portland, posting a 4.33 ERA with 96 strikeouts to 18 walks over 17 starts (81 innings). Opposing hitters batted .278/.324/.459 in 354 plate appearances against him.
Among 19 qualified pitchers in the Eastern League entering play this week, Ziehl ranked first in walks per nine innings (2.00) and walk rate (5.1%), second in xFIP (3.51), fifth in FIP (4.13), groundball rate (51.5%), strikeouts per nine (10.67) and strikeout rate (27.1%), sixth in WHIP (1.35), and eighth in swinging-strike rate (12.2%), according to FanGraphs.
Originally selected by the Yankees in the fourth round of the 2024 draft out of Miami, Ziehl has already been involved in two significant trades since entering the professional ranks. Last July, he was dealt to the White Sox for outfielder Austin Slater. Just over six months later, he was again on the move, this time going to the Red Sox for fellow righties Jordan Hicks and David Sandlin (plus cash) in early February.
After splitting his first full season in pro ball between three levels and four affiliates, Ziehl overcame a rocky start and has held his own at Double-A this year. The 6-foot, 223-pound hurler features a strong command profile and a five-pitch mix consisting of a 91-93 mph fastball that tops out at 95 mph, an 88-91 mph cutter, an 83-87 mph sweeper, a 79-82 mph curveball, and an 86-88 mph changeup.
Ziehl joins Blake Wehunt and John Holobetz as notable Red Sox pitching prospects who have made the jump from Portland to Worcester this season. After last pitching on Sunday, his Triple-A debut will likely come in the latter half of the WooSox’ upcoming series against Lehigh Valley at Polar Park.
(Picture of Gage Ziehl courtesy of the Portland Sea Dogs)
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