AppleSox coach thinks Hunter Boyd has the stuff to pitch at the next level

WENATCHEE — It seems like Hunter Boyd has spent a lifetime in one dugout or another over the course of his illustrious baseball career. Lately he’s been living in his uniform and sleeping on the bus playing for the Wenatchee AppleSox of the West Coast League, but he wouldn’t have it any other way

The big right-hander from Moses Lake has pitched all across the Pacific Northwest, ventured out into Montana, Wyoming and down to Oregon. His first win this year in his second season came in Victoria. B.C., so he has international experience as well.

Boyd (1-1, ERA 5.55) settled into his spot at the end of the dugout Monday night after his scheduled start against the Kelowna Falcons, having pitched to a draw, leaving the game with a no-decision with five strikeouts, two walks, having scattered seven hits in four innings. His breaking stuff was pretty good, but he didn’t have command of his fastball and left the game with the score tied 3-3.

Sometimes you eat the bear, sometimes the bear eats you. But such is life on the bump.

His end game is to play in the big leagues, and he can get there from here. The AppleSox currently have four players on Major League rosters, including Jason Hammel (Kansas City), Marco Gonzales (Seattle), Pat Valaika (Colorado) and Zack Weiss (Cincinnati) and 33 others playing at various levels in the minor leagues.

“Every baseball player’s goal is to get drafted. My focus is just to have one more good year of college ball. If I get there (professional ball), that’s great. If nothin’ happens, nothin’ happens and I’ll settle into being a police officer,” said Boyd, who helped the Columbia Basin River Dogs win a Senior Babe Ruth World Series and Yakima Valley Community College win an Northwest Athletic Conference Baseball Championship.

“My baseball career has been worth it. There’s been a lot of good experiences, a lot of good memories and a lot of good friendships. I’ve been here a couple of weeks now and there’s guys I plan on staying in touch with after we’re done here.”

Everyone that picks up the rock for the AppleSox hopes to follow in the footsteps of Hammel. But Boyd’s journey has more similarities than most. Hammel, who was drafted in the 23rd round by Seattle (2000), helped South Kitsap High School to a 20-1 season before going to Treasure Valley in Ontario, Ore., for a stint in the NWAC. He’s been a journeyman in the Majors, having pitched in both the National League Division and Championship Series. He was also an Opening Day starter in Baltimore.

Boyd was All-CBBN in leading the Moses Lake Chiefs to two 4A state tournament appearances and helped the River Dogs win the national championship in 2015. His NWAC experience included helping the Yaks to the 2016 NWAC title. He earned All-NWAC honors in 2017, going 5-2 with a 3.29 ERA in 79.1 innings, walking 13 and striking out 79. Boyd struck out 14 batters in a shutout win at Skagit Valley.

AppleSox manager Kyle Krustangel and pitching coach Riley Drongesen are both on staff at Yakima Valley. They've seen enough of Boyd to believe he has a future at the next level.

“I think he has a future (in professional baseball),” said Drongesen, who was an undrafted free agent with the St. Louis Cardinals and played professionally for two seasons. “I certainly hope some organization would take a chance on him. He certainly has the stuff (pitches) and everything like that.

“All it takes is one scout to like you. Almost everyone starts off in Short Season, Single A or Rookie ball, and then you progress with the need of the team. I really think he has a shot.”

Even though Drongesen was a catcher throughout his career, he and Boyd have developed a bond that’s improving his game for the AppleSox.

“Drongesen is the best pitching coach I’ve worked with. He was a catcher in the minors, so when he has an idea of what I need to throw. He signals it in to the catcher. That’s been a big help, I think,” said Boyd, who posted a 3-2 record in eight starts last season in the West Coast League.

The growth from community college to where he is now as the second starter for the AppleSox has been strong and steady, Krustangel said.

“Hunter has just gotten better and better,” said the AppleSox skipper, who coached him two years at YVC and last summer in Wenatchee. “He’s a high IQ guy out there on the mound and pitched in a lot of big games during his career. Nothing’s too big for him.

“There were 72 guys drafted out of this league last year, including three from last year’s AppleSox team. They’re always looking for good baseball players and Hunter’s a real grinder that loves to complete, so you never know.”

Boyd, the son of LeRoy and Danae Boyd, has one more year of collegiate eligibility and is currently in discussions with the University of Montana-Billings.

When his playing days come to an end, whenever that might be, he intends to get into criminal justice and become a police officer.

Rodney Harwood is a sports writer with the Columbia Basin Herald and can be reached at rharwood@columbiabasinherald.com