Blaine Boyer

Blaine Boyer

43-Year-Old PitcherP
 Free Agent  
2024 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Blaine Boyer in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Signed a minor-league contract with the Red Sox in April of 2017.
Granted release by Kansas City
PFree Agent  
August 15, 2018
Boyer was cut loose by the Royals on Wednesday, Rustin Dodd of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Boyer will look for a new home after recently returning from the 60-day DL (back). He has been limited to just 21.2 innings of work in the big leagues this season, logging an unsightly 12.05 ERA and 2.08 WHIP. In a corresponding move, Jorge Lopez was called up from Triple-A Omaha.
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2018
2017
2018 MLB Game Log
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2017 MLB Game Log
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Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Blaine Boyer See More
Mound Musings: Checking in on the Bullpens – NL
May 31, 2018
Brad Johnson looks at frequently changing closer situations in the National League, like in Miami, where there’s a three-horse race between current closer Brad Ziegler, and Kyle Barraclough and Drew Steckenrider.
Oak's Corner: Big Series in Boston
May 25, 2018
Scott Jenstad recaps the week and highlights the upcoming Interleague series between the Red Sox with the surging Andrew Benintendi and the youthful Braves.
Mound Musings: Building a Championship Team – Part 1
May 3, 2018
In this two-part series, Brad Johnson passes along some thoughts on two facets of building a winner in keeper/dynasty leagues. Part of his own scouting strategy involved the recently acquired Matt Harvey.
AL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week
September 17, 2017
Erik Siegrist checks out the free-agent pool with time ticking down on the regular season, and thinks Jacoby Ellsbury's hot streak could provide fantasy rosters with one last boost.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2017
2016
2015
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
Boyer was aggressively mediocre in 2016, finishing with a 3.95 ERA and 3.96 FIP, both within 10 points of the league average for relievers. Boyer showcased excellent control and an ability to draw grounders with regularity, but he was simply too hittable. Boyer induced swinging strikes just 6.2 percent of the time and finished with a brutal 3.6 K/9 as a result, worst among any National League pitcher to throw at least 60 innings. Only Zach Neal of the A's was worse, at 3.5 K/9. Time is running out on Boyer's arsenal of old man junk, and without any strikeouts to speak of, his fantasy value is virtually nil.
Boyer surprisingly landed a high-profile role in Minnesota's bullpen last spring, becoming the primary setup man before missing time in August due to a sore elbow. His 2.49 ERA looks impressive, but Boyer's success came despite an anemic strikeout rate (4.6 K/9) and some luck on balls in play as evidenced by a 4.00 FIP. He generates groundballs (47.6 percent) and doesn't have terrible velocity (92.5 mph average fastball), but his lack of strikeouts limit his upside in any high-leverage role, and any shot at occasional saves or even holds will depend on where he lands in free agency.
Boyer returned to the States last season after spending part of 2013 in Japan, joining the Padres on a minor league deal in January. He was unable to secure a bullpen spot during spring training, but the right-hander ended up making 32 appearances with the big club, 21 of which came after the All-Star break. While Boyer's second-half surface numbers weren't pretty, there was a more than 150-point difference between his ERA (4.85) and FIP (3.29), a disparity created by an unlucky 64.1% strand rate and .321 BABIP. His biggest improvement was with his control, as Boyer averaged a mere 1.8 BB/9 in his 40.1 innings last season, down from 4.6 BB/9 in his last sizeable major league sample in 2010. Despite the improvement, the Padres designated Boyer for assignment in November, and he signed a minor league contract with Minnesota. Now 33, Boyer will compete for a bullpen job, but it's unlikely he'll win a high-leverage role.
Boyer had a front-row seat in the D-Backs' bullpen debacle last season, making 54 appearances and having the good fortune to escape those outings with a 4.26 ERA despite a free pass issued for every batter he fanned. There has been nothing from him over the last two seasons to suggest he will repeat the 8.4 K/9IP mark from his 2008 season with the Braves and the more recent trends here suggest Triple-A or a new organization are more likely than a long-term place in the D-Backs' plans. If you are handicapping the closer situation in Arizona on draft day, pick another pony.
On the surface, it appears that a heavy workload in Atlanta may have caught up to Boyer, as his strikeout rate dipped from 8.4 K/9IP in 2008 to 4.8 in 2009 over stops in Atlanta, St. Louis and Arizona. Despite missing fewer bats, Boyer gave up just one home run last season after surrendering 10 in 76 appearances (72 innings) in 2008. He'll be among the cast competing for a bullpen spot with the D-Backs during spring training, but he's never put together a strong enough season in a setup role to merit consideration as a staff filler.
Boyer did not pitch after Sept. 17 as he struggled in the second half due to his high workload. He was among the National League leaders in appearances during the first half and posted a 3.93 ERA, but struggled with an 11.17 ERA in the second half. Boyer strikes out batters at a good rate (8.38 K/9IP) with strong control (67:25 K:BB ratio). He'll be a key set-up man for the Braves, but his overuse could negatively impact his 2009 performance.
After a tantalizing major league debut in 2005 with 33 strikeouts in 35 innings, Boyer missed all of 2006 with shoulder surgery and then spent most of 2007 at Triple-A Richmond. While his decent strikeout rate returned after the surgery, he struggled with his control (over six walks per nine innings at Triple-A). He'll need better command to find success in the majors, but he'll contend for a spot in the bullpen as he's out of options.
Boyer hurt his shoulder at the end of the 2005 season, and then had a setback that required surgery and caused him to miss all off 2006. Boyer had a tantalizing major league debut in 2005 with 33 strikeouts in 35 innings before getting hurt. He walks a few too many batters to think he'll be a star in the bullpen, but he could carve out a sizable role if healthy this spring.
Aided by a move to the bullpen in the middle of the season, Boyer increased his strikeout rate in his first year at Double-A. Promoted to an Atlanta team desperate for middle relief help, Boyer continued to look sharp with a 33 strikeouts in 35 innings before being shut down for a sore shoulder in September. He walks a few too many batters to repeat his early success, but he'll likely leave spring training with a job in the middle of the bullpen and is someone to keep an eye on.
Boyer had a strong ERA for high Single-A Myrtle Beach and was protected on the 40-man roster, but his strikeout rates don't indicate he'll have great success at the next level. There are better pitching prospects in the Braves system.
More Fantasy News
Returns from 60-day DL
PKansas City Royals  
August 12, 2018
Boyer (back) was activated off the 60-day disabled list Sunday, Rustin Dodd of The Athletic Kansas City reports.
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To begin rehab stint
PKansas City Royals  
Back
July 22, 2018
Boyer (back) will start a minor-league rehab assignment with Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Monday, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.
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Shifted to 60-day DL
PKansas City Royals  
Back
July 5, 2018
Boyer (back) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list Thursday.
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Lands on DL
PKansas City Royals  
Back
May 30, 2018
Boyer was placed on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday with a lower-back strain.
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Notches first save of season
PKansas City Royals  
April 29, 2018
Boyer worked around a hit in a scoreless inning of work to earn his first save of the season Sunday against the White Sox.
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