Matthew Boyd Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Matthew Robert Boyd
Born 02/02/1991 in Mercer Island, WA
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 223 / Bats: L / Throws: L
School Oregon State
Debut 06/27/2015
Drafted in the 6th round (175th overall) by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2013 (signed for $75,000).

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A distant relative of Bob Feller and former first lady Dolly Madison, Boyd looked like a lefthanded specialist in his first three years with the Beavers, using a fastball/slider combo from a low three-quarters arm slot. He was a 13th-round pick by the Reds last year as a junior, but didn't sign and boosted his stock in the Cape Cod League, raising his arm slot and showing a four-pitch mix. After making just two starts in his first three years in college, Boyd became Oregon State's Friday night starter this year, with excellent results. He pitched in the 88-92 mph range this spring, topping out at 94, after touching 96 out of the bullpen on the Cape. He also offers good deception and angle to the plate. Boyd's main issue is that he lacks a true out pitch, which ultimately would limit him to the back of a rotation or a relief role.

Top Rankings

Boyd, a distant relative of Bob Feller and former first lady Dolly Madison, did not sign with the Reds as a 13th-round pick in 2012 and returned to Oregon State for his senior season. Following a strong summer in the Cape Cod League, he was the Beavers' Friday starter, and he signed for an under-slot $75,000 in the sixth round of the 2013 draft. Boyd had raised his arm slot as a senior, boosting his velocity, and the Blue Jays raised it further to high three-quarters. It's a high-maintenance delivery that remains funky and deceptive, but he repeats it well and overcomes a long arm action with wrap in the back. The flyballoriented Boyd is a competitor with the potential for above-average control. His fastball sits at 88-91 mph and touches 93 with average life. While none of his secondary offerings grades out as plus, all three can be at least average. His changeup shows swing-and-miss potential with late fade. The sharpness of his breaking ball has improved in pro ball. Boyd should head back to Double-A for 2015 and profiles as a back-end starter or lefty reliever.

A distant relative of Bob Feller and former first lady Dolly Madison, Boyd looked like a lefthanded specialist in his first three years with the Beavers, using a fastball/slider combo from a low three-quarters arm slot. He was a 13th-round pick by the Reds last year as a junior, but didn't sign and boosted his stock in the Cape Cod League, raising his arm slot and showing a four-pitch mix. After making just two starts in his first three years in college, Boyd became Oregon State's Friday night starter this year, with excellent results. He pitched in the 88-92 mph range this spring, topping out at 94, after touching 96 out of the bullpen on the Cape. He also offers good deception and angle to the plate. Boyd's main issue is that he lacks a true out pitch, which ultimately would limit him to the back of a rotation or a relief role.
Boyd has a solid build at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds. He is a good athlete who played 11 years of ice hockey before focusing on baseball. Boyd throws from a low three-quarter slot and his fastball sits in the 88-90 mph range. He primarily pitches off a fastball-slider combination, but mixes in a sweeping low-mid 70s slider and will throw an occasional changeup to righthanded batters. With his low arm slot, lefties struggle to pick up the ball so he could wind up as a lefthanded specialist in the big leagues. He shows solid command and is a good competitor on the mound.

LHP Matthew Boyd elected free agency.
Cleveland Guardians activated LHP Matthew Boyd from the 15-day injured list.
Cleveland Guardians sent LHP Matthew Boyd on a rehab assignment to Columbus Clippers.
Cleveland Guardians sent LHP Matthew Boyd on a rehab assignment to Akron RubberDucks.
Cleveland Guardians sent LHP Matthew Boyd on a rehab assignment to ACL Guardians.
Cleveland Guardians signed free agent LHP Matthew Boyd. Left elbow surgery.
Detroit Tigers placed LHP Matthew Boyd on the 60-day injured list. Left elbow strain.