What happened: Payton Tolle threw an immaculate inning in September to highlight his debut campaign. The sequence drew renewed attention during offseason retrospectives following the 2026 World Series.

Why it matters: Tolle established himself as an impact arm in 2026, earning selection as an American League Rookie of the Year finalist. His late-season strikeout form positions him for an expanded rotation role in 2027.

What to watch: Tolle enters winter workouts preparing for a full-season workload in 2027.