Duffy Having The Time Of His Life As A Pro Player

Mathew Duffy RHP / 3B / Assumption, ON / 2020

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Matt Duffy did not hold back about what it means to be a professional baseball player.

“It’s been an exciting couple of weeks,” the fourth round pick of the Boston Red Sox said. “I’m in Florida now at the Fort Myers complex. I’ve been here a week. I flew in on Sunday and signed on Friday. I’ve practiced three days learning things about the program.”

Ironically, the Assumption High School 2020 graduate was in Florida with family when the draft took place.

“We took a trip to Florida where my brother was working out in Jupiter,” Duffy said. “On draft day two I was at his apartment with family when my name was called. There were six of us in the room.

“My agent called around pick 110 and said I was going to go now,” added Duffy, who was chosen with the 115th selection of the draft. “I was shell shocked. I said that’s awesome. I got off the phone and started laughing. Everyone knew. Then 115 popped up on the screen. Once my name was called it was a cool realization for me and my family that my dream was reached.”

The Angels, Brewers, Rays, Yankees and Tigers were among the organizations showing an interest before the draft in the 6-2 205-pound right-handed pitcher, who began to captivate pro scouts during his three years at Canisius.

“Interest began when I started putting up numbers my sophomore year,” Duffy noted. “I pitched well in the MAAC Tournament in 2022 and pitched well at the Cape. That all helped. Scouts started coming to bullpens after that. When we played Boston College in the first game of this season 20 scouts surrounded the bullpen. That was my first realization that this was a thing.”

Although he had one year of eligibility left, Duffy, who was 6-3 throwing a team-high 80.2 innings this season for Canisius, knew where his future was in the sport.

“I got what I wanted out of a signing bonus,” the 21-year-old related. “My mind was set on playing pro ball. It’s been a dream of mine and it feels great to see the opportunity come to fruition. It really wasn’t a tough decision, I knew I wanted to sign. I’d already committed to South Carolina before the draft but that was Plan B.”

Duffy, who has one year of classes remaining toward a Physical Education degree, was more than pleased to be taken in the fourth round.

“I knew I’d go sometime on day two,” Duffy said. “I’d been hearing round four but also round nine or 10, so I knew I could go anywhere. The closer it got to the draft, my agent was getting calls that it would be in the round five to seven range. Going in the fourth round was higher than expected, which is great for me.”

Duffy, who had not thrown in four weeks before arriving at the Red Sox complex in Florida, looks forward to the rest of the summer.

“I might throw a couple innings, we’ll just see what happens,” Duffy said. “The season ends on Aug. 22 but the minor league season ends in mid-September so I could get called to go there.”

The second-rated right-handed pitcher in Canada coming out of high school, Duffy points to one area of his game he wants to improve.

“Definitely my velo,” Duffy said. “I’m able to pitch, but my velo is lower than people want in today’s game. I’ll be working with a Red Sox guy and get on a program. I have three pitches that keep hitters off balance, that’s my strength. But if I add velo that will be a bonus.”

Duffy is taking the future, whatever that may be, in stride.

“I’m just looking to enjoy the process,” Duffy concluded. “I’m going to work as hard as I can and if I make the majors great, that’s the end goal. If not, I worked my hardest to get there.”