B.J. Boyd Embraces New Hitting Approach

It was a simple decision, yet one of the most difficult of 24-year-old outfielder B.J. Boyd’s life. As 2017 spring training began, he could continue the path he had followed through his first five seasons—or he could make an adjustment.

He changed.

“I didn’t try to hit home runs,” Boyd said simply. Instead he embraced the leadoff role and changed his focus to line drives and getting on base at Double-A Midland. In 130 games he hit .323/.366/.428 and led the Texas League with 172 hits and 82 runs.

“He figured it out,” farm director Keith Lieppman said. “He’s made adjustments. Once he got to Triple-A (for seven games in 2016), it gave him insight into how guys at that level play, and how they play relaxed. It opened his eyes to the type of player he can be. He can be one of those guys.

“He moved to Double-A and played every day and had a great routine. His day-to-day routine and his cage work really improved. He emphasized hitting the ball to all fields. His desire to steal bases increased dramatically. All the components came to fruition, with a combination of hard work, discipline and the realization of who he wants to become.”

A 2012 fourth-round pick from Palo Alto (Calif.) High, Boyd spent virtually all of his first five seasons at Class A or lower. The lefthanded batter tended to hit too many fly balls for a player with below-average power.

“They told me Double-A would be the best pitching I’d ever seen,” Boyd said. “There’s more strikes, and the pitchers are around the strike zone. I just put the bat on (the ball) and didn’t try to do too much.”

Boyd hit six home runs in 2017 without trying to hit them. He topped out at eight in the past. “I can hit home runs,” Boyd said, “but I’d hit .220.”

Lieppman said Boyd has improved dramatically in center field, getting better jumps and covering more ground with his plus speed. He also has been working hard with Athletics coach Rickey Henderson on his basestealing, and he stole 16 bases in 21 attempts this year.

The A’s believe Boyd will need time at Triple-A Nashville before he can make the jump to the majors, but his willingness to improve shows that he could rise quickly.

A’s ACORNS

• The A’s added 17-year-old Venezuelan shortstop Alexander Campos in a trade with the Mariners for first baseman Ryon Healy. Campos, who ranked as the No. 49 prospect on the 2016 international market, hit .290/.413/.367 in the Dominican Summer League in 2017 and is expected play in the U.S. next season.