Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Matthew Boyd (baseball)

Discover the career path of Matthew Boyd (baseball), from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Matthew Boyd is an American professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the Chicago Cubs in MLB. Prior to joining the Cubs, he played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, Detroit Tigers, and Cleveland Guardians. He is known for his pitching abilities in Major League Baseball.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1908: Consecutive Double-Digit Strikeout Games

On April 3, 2019, Matthew Boyd recorded a career-high 13 strikeouts, becoming the first Detroit Tigers pitcher to achieve consecutive double-digit strikeout games since 1908.

1972: Most Strikeouts Before All-Star Break

In 2019, Matthew Boyd finished the first half of the season with 142 strikeouts, the most strikeouts by a Tigers left-handed pitcher prior to the All-Star break since Mickey Lolich struck out 156 in 1972.

1974: First Left-Handed Tiger to Top 200 Strikeouts

On August 18, 2019, Matthew Boyd became the first left-handed Detroit Tiger pitcher to top 200 strikeouts since Mickey Lolich in 1974.

2011: Plays for Orleans Firebirds

In 2011, Matthew Boyd played collegiate summer baseball with the Orleans Firebirds of the Cape Cod Baseball League.

2012: Named League All-Star and Drafted by Reds

In 2012, Matthew Boyd was named a league all-star in the Cape Cod Baseball League while playing for the Orleans Firebirds. The Cincinnati Reds selected Boyd in the 13th round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft, but he did not sign.

2013: Signs with Blue Jays

In 2013, Matthew Boyd signed with the Toronto Blue Jays after being drafted in the sixth round, receiving a $75,000 signing bonus.

2013: Assigned to Lansing and Promoted to Dunedin

In 2013, Matthew Boyd was assigned to the Class-A Lansing Lugnuts, where he recorded a 0.64 ERA in 14 innings before being promoted to the Advanced-A Dunedin Blue Jays. He finished the 2013 season in Dunedin.

August 2014: Most Strikeouts since Max Scherzer

In his start on April 3, 2019, Matthew Boyd recorded a career-high 13 strikeouts, becoming the first Detroit Tigers pitcher to achieve consecutive double-digit strikeout games since 1908 and the most strikeouts by any Tigers pitcher since Max Scherzer in August 2014.

2014: Promotion to New Hampshire Fisher Cats

In 2014, Matthew Boyd pitched 90 2/3 innings with Dunedin, earning a 5-3 record, 1.39 ERA, and 103 strikeouts before being promoted to the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

June 2015: Promotion to Buffalo Bisons

In June 2015, Matthew Boyd was promoted to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, making his first start on June 14 against the Charlotte Knights.

June 26, 2015: Called up by Blue Jays

On June 26, 2015, Matthew Boyd was called up by the Toronto Blue Jays to start against the Texas Rangers, pitching 6 2/3 innings and striking out 7. His 7 strikeouts tied the Blue Jays franchise record for strikeouts in a debut.

July 30, 2015: Traded to Detroit Tigers

On July 30, 2015, Matthew Boyd was traded by the Toronto Blue Jays to the Detroit Tigers along with Daniel Norris and Jairo Labourt in exchange for David Price.

2015: MLB Debut and Trade to Detroit

In 2015, Matthew Boyd made his MLB debut with the Toronto Blue Jays. During the same season, he was traded to the Detroit Tigers.

March 30, 2016: Optioned to Toledo Mud Hens

On March 30, 2016, Matthew Boyd was optioned to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens.

2016: Sinkers thrown most often but most hittable

In 2016, Matthew Boyd threw more sinkers than any other offspeed pitch, but it resulted in the highest batting average against him at .321.

2016: First Tiger Pitcher to Top 200 Strikeouts

On August 18, 2019, Matthew Boyd became the first Detroit Tiger pitcher to top 200 strikeouts since Justin Verlander in 2016.

June 2, 2017: Optioned to Toledo Mud Hens

On June 2, 2017, Matthew Boyd was optioned to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, posting a 2-5 record with a 5.69 ERA prior to being optioned.

2017: Reduced use of sinker

In 2017, Matthew Boyd reduced the usage of his sinker due to its high batting average against him in the previous year.

2018: Rare use of sinker

In 2018, Matthew Boyd rarely threw his sinker pitch.

January 11, 2019: Avoids Arbitration with Tigers

On January 11, 2019, Matthew Boyd and the Detroit Tigers avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.6 million contract.

January 10, 2020: Avoids Arbitration with Tigers

On January 10, 2020, Matthew Boyd and the Detroit Tigers avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $5.3 million contract.

2020: League-Worst ERA

In 2020, Matthew Boyd had a 3-7 record and a league-worst 6.71 ERA, along with leading the American League in losses, home runs allowed, and slugging percentage against.

2020: Slider as most effective offspeed pitch

In 2020, Matthew Boyd's slider proved to be his most effective offspeed pitch, allowing only a .205 batting average against him.

January 15, 2021: Avoids Arbitration with Tigers

On January 15, 2021, Matthew Boyd and the Detroit Tigers agreed to a one-year, $6.5 million contract, avoiding arbitration.

November 30, 2021: Non-Tendered by Tigers

On November 30, 2021, Matthew Boyd was non-tendered by the Detroit Tigers, making him a free agent.

2021: Final Season with the Tigers

Matthew Boyd played for the Detroit Tigers through the 2021 season.

March 20, 2022: Finalizes Deal with Giants

On March 20, 2022, Matthew Boyd finalized a one-year contract with the San Francisco Giants worth $5.2 million, including potential incentive bonuses. However, he did not make an appearance for the Giants in 2022 due to recovery from surgery.

August 2, 2022: Traded to Seattle Mariners

On August 2, 2022, Matthew Boyd was traded to the Seattle Mariners along with Curt Casali in exchange for Michael Stryffeler and Andy Thomas.

December 14, 2022: Signs with the Tigers

On December 14, 2022, Matthew Boyd signed a one-year contract to return to the Detroit Tigers, with a base salary of $10 million plus potential performance-based bonuses.

2022: Plays for Seattle Mariners

In 2022, Matthew Boyd played for the Seattle Mariners.

2023: Returns to Detroit Tigers

Matthew Boyd rejoined the Detroit Tigers in 2023.

June 29, 2024: Signs with Cleveland Guardians

On June 29, 2024, Matthew Boyd signed a one-year major league contract with the Cleveland Guardians and was placed on the 15-day injured list while recovering from elbow surgery.