Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 45 | Cutter: 45 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 60 | Overall: 40
A $10,000 senior sign as a 14th-rounder in 2015, Poyner pitched on Florida staffs with future Red Sox Brian Johnson and Austin Maddox and five future first-rounders. He has breezed through the Minors with a 2.51 ERA and 5.0 K/BB ratio in his first four pro seasons and made Boston's Opening Day roster in 2018. He spent five separate stints with the eventual World Series champions, logging a 3.22 ERA and a 24/3 K/BB in 22 1/3 innings.
Poyner's fastball is tough to grade on the 20-80 scouting scale because it has 40 velocity (ranging from 88-92 mph) with 70 command and 80 deception. Even if it doesn't excite radar guns, his heater plays as a plus pitch, as does his fading changeup. He'll dabble with both a curveball and cutter just to give hitters different looks but both are fringy, and he relies heavily on his main two pitches.
Poyner isn't a lefty specialist because he doesn't have a quality breaking ball and actually has been slightly more effective against righties as a pro. He has no margin for error but commands his pitches well and is fearless on the mound. He performed well when the Red Sox trusted him with higher-leverage situations in 2018. Statcast - Pitching Season Pitches Batted Balls Barrels Barrel % Exit Velocity Launch Angle XBA XSLG WOBA XWOBA XWOBACON Hard Hit % K % BB % 2018 374 64 7 10.9 84.9 21.4 .237 .408 .326 .292 .371 29.7 25.8 3.2 2019 225 32 5 15.6 87.3 23.7 .268 .555 .334 .378 .449 40.6 22.4 10.2 ALL 599 96 12 12.5 85.7 22.1 .247 .457 .329 .322 .397 33.3 24.6 5.6 MLB 40553 6.3 87.5 11.2 .251 .412 .317 .318 .371 34.5 21.7 8.3 Transactions Team Date Transaction 09/04/2019 Boston Red Sox recalled LHP Bobby Poyner from Pawtucket Red Sox. 06/12/2019 Boston Red Sox optioned LHP Bobby Poyner to Pawtucket Red Sox. 06/10/2019 Boston Red Sox recalled Bobby Poyner from Pawtucket Red Sox. 04/24/2019 Boston Red Sox optioned LHP Bobby Poyner to Pawtucket Red Sox. 04/20/2019 Boston Red Sox recalled Bobby Poyner from Pawtucket Red Sox. 03/23/2019 Boston Red Sox optioned LHP Bobby Poyner to Pawtucket Red Sox. 09/01/2018 Boston Red Sox recalled LHP Bobby Poyner from Pawtucket Red Sox. 07/21/2018 Boston Red Sox optioned LHP Bobby Poyner to Pawtucket Red Sox. 07/14/2018 Boston Red Sox recalled Bobby Poyner from Pawtucket Red Sox. 06/07/2018 Boston Red Sox optioned LHP Bobby Poyner to Pawtucket Red Sox. 06/02/2018 Boston Red Sox recalled Bobby Poyner from Pawtucket Red Sox. 05/24/2018 Boston Red Sox optioned LHP Bobby Poyner to Pawtucket Red Sox. 05/15/2018 Boston Red Sox recalled Bobby Poyner from Pawtucket Red Sox. 05/05/2018 Boston Red Sox optioned LHP Bobby Poyner to Pawtucket Red Sox. 05/04/2018 Boston Red Sox recalled Bobby Poyner from Pawtucket Red Sox. 04/22/2018 Boston Red Sox optioned LHP Bobby Poyner to Pawtucket Red Sox. 04/21/2018 Boston Red Sox sent LHP Bobby Poyner on a rehab assignment to Pawtucket Red Sox. 04/19/2018 Boston Red Sox sent LHP Bobby Poyner on a rehab assignment to Portland Sea Dogs. 04/12/2018 Boston Red Sox placed LHP Bobby Poyner on the 10-day disabled list. Left hamstring strain. 03/29/2018 Boston Red Sox selected the contract of LHP Bobby Poyner from Portland Sea Dogs. 01/16/2018 Boston Red Sox invited non-roster LHP Bobby Poyner to spring training. 06/02/2017 LHP Bobby Poyner assigned to Portland Sea Dogs from Salem Red Sox. 03/12/2017 LHP Bobby Poyner assigned to Boston Red Sox. 06/01/2016 LHP Bobby Poyner assigned to Salem Red Sox from Greenville Drive. 04/05/2016 LHP Bobby Poyner assigned to Greenville Drive from Lowell Spinners. 03/18/2016 LHP Bobby Poyner assigned to Boston Red Sox. 07/01/2015 LHP Bobby Poyner assigned to Lowell Spinners. 06/30/2015 Boston Red Sox signed LHP Bobby Poyner.
