Boston Red Sox select Arkansas pitcher Brady Tygart in 2024 MLB Draft

The Boston Red Sox have selected Arkansas RHP Brady Tygart in the 12th round of the 2024 MLB Draft. Tygart was taken with the No. 257 overall pick.

Tygart appeared on the mound 14 times for the Razorbacks in 2024, posting a 4-3 record with a 3.94 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 59.1 innings of work. He held opposing bats to a .220 average. In SEC play, Tygart’s numbers dropped, finishing 1-3 with a 5.40 ERA but still recorded 40 strikeouts across 38.1 innings over nine starts.

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His first SEC start saw him compile seven strikeouts over 4.2 scoreless innings of work against Missouri on March 16. He struck out seven against Ole Miss on April 6, arguably beginning Tygart’s best stretch of the season. He recorded five innings of one-run ball with three strikeouts on the road against a ranked Alabama squad during his next start on April 14 before logging a quality start against another ranked opponent in South Carolina.

He followed that up with a second quality start against Florida on April 27, keeping the Gators to two runs across six innings to go with his six strikeouts.

As for the pitches in his arsenal, Tygart utilizes a high-spin curveball that sits in the mid-70s. Despite the pitch’s lack of speed, the pitch breaks down fast enough to lock hitters up in the batter’s box. Off-speed pitches are some of his strongest, as he also features a sweeping slider that settles in the upper 70s while his mid-80s changeup fades and sinks to keep the opposition guessing.

He does use a riding fastball from time to time but can be a liability if he doesn’t locate it well.

“Tygart has cleaned up his delivery, though his command of his fastball and his control of his secondary pitches need improvement,” Tygart’s MLB scouting report reads. “He still has to prove he has the durability for the rotation after losing two months to a sprained elbow as a sophomore and getting sidelined with fatigue late in the 2024 regular season. He competes well and will get a chance to start in pro ball, but he might fit best and find more velocity as a reliever.”

The Arkansas pitcher saw one relief appearance during his junior season in Fayetteville, which came against Kentucky in the SEC Tournament. It remains to be seen if a transition to the bullpen would benefit him next season — whether that be in the pros or back with the Hogs.