The Boston Red Sox have added a familiar veteran arm to their bullpen, promoting Tommy Kahnle from Triple-A as they look to strengthen their pitching staff for the second half of the season. While Kahnle may not be the overpowering fastball pitcher he once was, the veteran reliever has continued to find success thanks to one of the most unique pitches in MLB.
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Red Sox Add Experienced Bullpen Depth
Boston’s bullpen hasn’t been an issue this season, but the promotion of Kahnle does give the club another experienced option with postseason experience.
Kahnle’s four-seam fastball has averaged 93 mph during his time in Triple-A this season, a noticeable drop from the velocity he featured during his prime years. However, the fastball has become more of a complementary pitch in his arsenal.
The right-hander’s success has long been built around an elite changeup that continues to frustrate opposing hitters regardless of velocity.
The Changeup That Powered a World Series Run
Few pitchers in recent baseball history have leaned on a single pitch as heavily as Kahnle did during the Yankees 2024 postseason run.
As New York marched through October and ultimately reached the World Series, Kahnle became one of the most reliable arms in manager Aaron Boone’s bullpen. During that stretch, he famously threw 61 consecutive changeups, an almost unheard-of pitching sequence at the highest level of the sport.
Hitters knew the pitch was coming and still struggled to make solid contact against it. That dominant stretch played a significant role in helping the Yankees reach the Fall Classic and cemented Kahnle’s reputation as one of baseball’s most unique relievers.
Not Much Has Changed
Even as he approaches the later stages of his career, Kahnle remains committed to the formula that made him successful.
In Triple-A this season, he has thrown his changeup an astonishing 63.4% of the time, once again making it the centerpiece of his approach. The pitch continues to generate weak contact and keep hitters off balance despite the reduced fastball velocity.
Now, the former Yankees postseason hero will look to bring that same success to one of New York’s biggest rivals. If his signature changeup remains effective, Kahnle could prove to be a valuable addition to Boston’s bullpen down the stretch.
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