​Aug 9, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Joe Boyle (36) throws against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect The Rays acquired Joe Boyle, the towering, hard-throwing reliever, from the Athletics as part of the trade for Jeffrey Springs and Jacob Lopez. Since then he’s pitched just over 70 innings for the Rays, spending most of his time in Durham.This year Joe Boyle has made meaningful strides in his command while retaining the stuff that made him an intriguing pitching prospect. In limited major-league opportunities, his topline numbers haven’t been great but there’s no question has major league stuff and the upside that goes with it. Boyle has developed enough command to support an increasingly sophisticated arsenal, and his ability to adjust that arsenal on the fly is what makes his starter projection particularly interesting.Before joining the Rays, Boyle posted a 15.7% walk rate in the majors and an 18.9% walk rate in the minors. Since joining the organization, those numbers have fallen to 12.1% and 14.4%, respectively. This is meaningful growth driven by some mechanical adjustments, usage rates, and shape changes.Boyle has gone from a high three-quarter slot delivery through 2024 to a low three-quarter slot delivery in 2025 and 2026. The lower slot seems to suit him better, giving him a more repeatable delivery and helping him find the zone more consistently.The adjustment appears to have given Boyle a more consistent foundation from which to repeat his delivery and attack the strike zone. His zone rate has gone from 44.2% in AAA in 2024 to 46.9% in AAA so far in 2026 – despite shifting toward a more secondary-heavy mix, with his non-fastballs historically less likely to land in the zone. And because he has the quality stuff to stick in a rotation, the next step was to revamp his arsenal to attack both sides of the plate.Here are Boyle’s Triple-A usage rates to righties and lefties in each of the last three seasons:Boyle is now throwing a wider variety of shapes – most of them relatively new given his change in slot – and he’s still filling up the zone at a higher rate than ever before. He has more advanced feel and pitchability than he gets credit for. Boyle’s command gains coupled with an expanded arsenal are more exciting than either development would be on its own.Some interesting things have happened with Boyle’s usage and cut-slider shape during the 2026 season so far that give even more reason to be excited. The changes become even more interesting when we look at how he’s using each pitch against right- and left-handed hitters.Apr-Jul vs RHBAug-Sep vs RHBApr-Jul vs LHBAug-Sep vs LHBFour-Seam42.3%30.3%47.3%34.3%Cut-Slider33.7%33.1%33.4%38.2%Offspeed1.5%2.0%15.0%13.7%Two-Seam12.4%17.5%0.5%6.4%Breaking Ball10.1%17.1%3.7%7.3%The biggest thing that stands out to me is that Boyle’s f