Blue Jays make it official, Matt Boyd to make MLB debut

You can tell the mettle of a prospect by how he handles adversity. Some rise to the occasion and some wither in its presence. Ultimately, it is the difference between being a professional baseball player and being a Major League Baseball player.

For Toronto Blue Jays prospect Matt Boyd, he can now officially say he’s a Major Leaguer.

RELATED: Matt Boyd finding comfort in New Hampshire

Confirming what many saw coming for most of the week, the Blue Jays officially announced that Matt Boyd has been recalled from Triple-A Buffalo and will make his Major League debut for the Blue Jays as the starter on Saturday against the Texas Rangers.

For Boyd this is a culmination of a trip that started in Single-A Dunedin in 2014, and then stalled with two unsuccessful promotions to Double-A last year. After dominating the Florida State League, posting a 1.39 ERA and a 10.2 K/9 ratio for the D-Jays, Boyd struggled with the jump to New Hampshire, and the Eastern League wasn’t friendly to him during his first taste of Double-A hitters. In 10 starts for the Fisher Cats, Boyd was roughed up to the tune of a 6.96 ERA and watched his WHIP rise from 0.938 to 1.594.

However, adversity is all about what you learn from it, and what Matt Boyd took from that experience has shaped him into a much more complete pitcher in 2015.

“I made my mistakes here last year, some of them were self-inficted while other ones guys just put a hurting on me. I just kind of grew from that and going forward, I feel that helped prepare me for what i need to work on, regardless of the level. “

Boyd took those lessons and came back all the stronger in 2015, starting at the roadblock and pushing right through it. In 12 Double-A starts in 2015, Boyd has been a much different pitcher, amassing a 6-1 record, a 1.10 ERA, a 0.774 WHIP, and a solid 8.6 K/9 ratio. After going seven straight starts of seven or more innings and two or less earned runs, the Blue Jays opted to give Matt Boyd a shot at Triple-A. He responded well, splitting his two decisions in Buffalo while posting a 2.25 ERA over 12 innings of work, striking out a dozen hitters and not issuing a single walk.

Needless to say, Matt Boyd has earned a look at the Major League level.

For now, it looks like it will be a one-start appearance for Boyd, but if he performs well, that could determine if he’s given additional starts with Aaron Sanchez still on the mend. Additionally there has been some speculation, like this piece from Shi Davidi, that this could be a showcase start for Boyd, one which the Blue Jays are using in order to show him as a potential trade piece. Regardless, both scenarios are predicated upon performance, and if Matt Boyd shines, it makes things easier in a number of directions.

A more grounded Boyd in 2015 realizes that every journey, regardless of where it goes, is built on one single step forward.

“I’ll just keep attacking every single day and if that happens to be in uniform that is royal blue and north of the border then it will be a dream come true and that’s not where the dream ends.”

One step, one start, all part of a bigger picture.

Next: Is Scott Kazmir the more realistic trade target for the Blue Jays

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