Buddy Hayward

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #346 prospect in 2020 draft
  Hayward has contributed at both the collegiate level and in the summer in both the New England Collegiate Baseball League in 2018 and the Cape Cod League in 2019, but he did not appear in a game this season due to an injury. As a freshman pitching mostly out of the bullpen, Hayward went 2-3, 4.28 for Harvard with 47 strikeouts compared to just nine walks in 40 innings. Over that summer, he dominated the NECL with a 3-2, 2.47 mark that included seven no-hit innings in a start on July 14, 2018. Hayward made just eight starts as a sophomore due to a mid-season injury, pitching to a 3-1, 4.13 mark, but his walk rate ballooned to 3.8. At 6-foot-6, 225 pounds, Hayward has an intimidating presence on the mound, and he’s able to get his fastball up to 95 mph at its best, but it normally sits 92-93 mph. Although he throws a changeup and curveball, his slider is his best secondary pitch. With an effort-filled delivery and the injury concerns on his resume, there’s a good chance Hayward will move to the bullpen in the future, where he will rely on his solid-average fastball/slider combination to lead the way.