• Share on Google+
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share on Linkedin
  • Share on Tumblr

Ty Buttrey Scouting Report, Boston Red Sox — January, 2018


Full Name: Ty Douglas Buttrey
DOB: March 31, 1993 (24)
Birthplace: Matthews, NC
School: Providence HS (Charlotte, NC)
Acquired: 4th Round, 2012 MLB Draft
Height, Weight: 6’6”, 230 lbs.
Position: RHP
Bats/Throws: L/R
Dates Observed: October – November, 2017
Affiliate(s): Peoria Javelinas (Arizona Fall League)
Previous Reports: None


Tool (PV/FV)
Notes & Comments
Fastball (70/70)
Ample arm-side run on FB; heavy downward plane from release point with good height, and plenty of arm-side life on pitch even when left up and lacking sink. Plus-plus power on pitch, but a relatively wide range of velocity at times due to mechanical/release point inconsistency. That said, legitimate power arm who will flirt with triple digits. Significant command issues with FB; left up in zone far too often, and misses spots out of zone too often as well, almost as though he’s trying to nibble on the corners for called strikes. With as much velo as he shows, best to just rock and fire and challenge hitters over the plate with plus fastball. Velocity: 94-100.

Changeup (35/40)
A bit of arm-side life on CH at times; not much natural depth or tumble to pitch, but ample arm-side run and tunnels similarly to FB with good arm action and arm speed to help sell it. Inconsistent execution, though, and pitch is flat with no life and left out over the plate often. As with FB, clear command issues with CH, though it’s primarily a show-me pitch and was really only used against LHH in my looks at AFL. Velocity: 78-82.

Curveball (45/50)
Interesting pitch with 12-to-6 movement and depth; at times, nearly screwball-type action beyond 12-to-6 that really confused scouts behind the plate at times at AFL. Exceptional late break at its best with some good velo/power behind it, and great arm action, but as with FB and CH there’s a struggle to execute the pitch down and in the strike zone with consistency. Good option to change hitters’ eye levels and enough depth to work against hitters from both sides of the plate, but without better command it may fall short of being a wipeout pitch that can consistently miss bats at the highest level. Velocity: 80-84.

Command (35/40)
Below average command and control with entire arsenal; nibbles on corners and misses off the plate too often with fastball considering power profile, and can’t consistently get off-speed down in the zone where he needs it to flash ideal pitch life. Lacks feel side to side when he is in the zone; enough velocity on FB to overcompensate to a degree, but needs to be more refined against better hitters and especially with his off-speed stuff. Would do well to challenge hitters early in counts more often and let fastball speak for itself in upper 90s.

Mechanics
Long, gangly arms and legs through delivery; working exclusively from the stretch now in relief but still lots of moving parts through motion with high leg kick and long back swing of throwing arm. Works from first base side of the rubber. Difficulty getting to consistent release point at times and struggles to line up mechanics towards the plate efficiently; more of a thrower than a pitcher, and easy to see why he was moved to the bullpen because of it. Good downward plane from height helps play up pitch life but command inconsistencies prevent him from always getting the ball down where he needs it (particularly on off-speed stuff). Struggles to hold runners on with long limbs and inefficient mechanics; recorded 1.40 - 1.49 times to the plate with runners on first base; predictable pause/holds leave him susceptible to getting timed up.

Notes
Fully transitioned to relief in 2017 after being hit hard as a starter the last couple years; still struggles with command that lags even now as a reliever; inconsistent execution of all pitches in the strike zone and particularly with off-speed to spots early in counts. Power profile with true double-plus fastball gives an interesting foundation, but command issues rob him of consistent wipeout off-speed and leave ability to hit ceiling somewhat uncertain. Big, strong kid who is thick-built with broad shoulders and a strong lower half that aids in drive to plate and power velocity; more or less near final physical form with little realistic room left to add good weight.

OFP (55 FV)
Potential for a mid-level closer role at ceiling, but good chance command issues will plague him well into big league career and ultimately limit future role to late-inning set-up work (45-50 FV). You can’t teach the power in his fastball and unique action on curve, and his raw stuff has a chance to be pretty remarkable, but Ty Buttrey must find some consistency in execution and show at least modest command feel to be fully trusted in high leverage set-up work. He should get a look at the big leagues with the Boston Red Sox this summer; refinement in command and off-speed execution could keep him there for a nice, long relief career. MLB ETA: 2018.

Ty Buttrey Scouting Report, Boston Red Sox — Game Video

In addition to our Ty Buttrey scouting report, we have game video below. You can get more Boston Red Sox prospect videos when you click here and subscribe to our YouTube channel.





Did you like this Ty Buttrey scouting report? More reports here:

Bobby Poyner (LHP, Red Sox)
Cam Gibson (OF, Tigers)
Chad Spanberger (1B, Rockies)
Matt Beaty (UTIL, Dodgers)
Tyler Jay (LHP, Twins)
Laz Rivera (INF, White Sox)
Reggie Pruitt (OF, Blue Jays)
Ryan Burr (RHP, White Sox)
Devin Smeltzer (LHP, Dodgers)
Joseph Rosa (UTIL, Mariners)

More from our Ty Buttrey scouting report and other Boston Red Sox prospects:

Team Page | News Archives | Facebook Page | Twitter Account

Follow Baseball Census on social media:

Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram | Google+

  • Share on Google+
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share on Linkedin
  • Share on Tumblr

Bobby DeMuro

Bobby DeMuro is the founder of Baseball Census, the author of We Is Blaze, (obviously) a fan of minor league baseball, and an unlikely expert on the animated classic TV show King Of The Hill. For more on Bobby and the personal, human side of this site, follow him on Twitter and Facebook: @BobbyDeMuro.

Load More Related Articles
Load More By Bobby DeMuro
Load More In Boston Red Sox

One Comment

  1. […] Filia (OF, Mariners)Monte Harrison (OF, Marlins) Braxton Lee (OF, Marlins)Max Lazar (RHP, Brewers) Ty Buttrey (RHP, Red Sox)Bobby Poyner (LHP, Red Sox) Jonathan Davis (OF, Blue Jays)Laz Rivera (INF, White Sox) […]

Leave a Reply

Check Also

Saddleback College RHP Tanner Brubaker Scouting Report, February 2018

Tanner Brubaker Scouting Report Right-Handed Pitcher Saddleback College Tanner Brubaker Sc…