Wikipedia

Tyler Matzek

Tyler Alexander Matzek(born October 19, 1990) is an Americanprofessional baseballpitcherfor theAtlanta BravesofMajor League Baseball(MLB). He was drafted by theColorado Rockiesin the first round of the2009 MLB draft,and made his MLB debut in 2014. He did not play in the major leagues after 2015 until he pitched for the Braves in 2020.

Tyler Matzek
Matzek with the Braves in 2022
Atlanta Braves – No. 68
Pitcher
Born:(1990-10-19)October 19, 1990(age 33)
Mission Viejo, California,U.S.
Bats:Left
Throws:Left
MLB debut
June 11, 2014, for the Colorado Rockies
MLB statistics
(through May 4, 2024)
Win–loss record16–21
Earned run average3.72
Strikeouts272
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Career

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Amateur career

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Matzek played baseball atCapistrano Valley High SchoolinMission Viejo, California,where he was a teammate of future big leaguerKyle Hendricks.[1]Hestruck out102 in86+2⁄3innings pitchedwith an 0.97earned run average(ERA) his senior year, leading his team to theCalifornia Interscholastic Federation(CIF) championship and earning the CIF Orange County Player of the Year. He was drafted by theColorado Rockiesin the first round, 11th overall, in the2009 Major League Baseball draft.[2]

Colorado Rockies

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On August 17, 2009, Matzek agreed to a $3.9 millionsigning bonusto join the Colorado Rockies organization.[3]He did not pitch professionally in 2009.

Prior to the 2010 season he was ranked byBaseball Americaas the 23rd best prospect in baseball. Playing for the Single-AAsheville Tourists,he compiled awin–loss recordof 5–1 with a 2.92 ERA and 88 strikeouts in89+1⁄3innings of work over 18 starts. However, he struggled with control, walking 62 and hitting 4 batters. Prior to 2011Baseball Americaranked him as the 32nd best prospect. He started the season with the High-AModesto Nuts,but struggled mightily, going 0-3 with a 9.82 ERA with 46 walks in 33 innings. He was demoted back to Asheville, where he made three rather unsuccessful starts before going on a "little mental break" after his start on June 17. He returned to Asheville on July 20 to finish the season.[4]He went 5-4 with a 4.36 ERA with the Tourists in 2011, striking out 74 and walking 50 in 64 innings.

Matzek started the 2012 season with Modesto.[5]He was a mid-season All-Star in theCalifornia League,going 4-3 with a 3.24 ERA before the break, striking out 83 and walking 52 in 75 innings. His second half was slightly worse than the first, and he finished 2012 going 6-8 with a 4.62 ERA, striking out a league-leading 153 and walking a league-leading 95. In 2013, he pitched for the Double-ATulsa Drillers.[6]He was also a mid-season All-Star in theTexas League,going 3-6 with a 4.04 ERA before the break, striking out 55 and walking 40 in75+2⁄3innings. His second half was slightly better this year, and he finished 2013 with the Drillers 8-9 with a 3.79 ERA, striking out 95 and walking 76 in142+1⁄3innings. After the year, Matzek pitched for theSalt River Raftersof theArizona Fall League,where in 10 games of relief, he went 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.457 WHIP, earning him a selection to the AFL Fall Stars Game. Matzek was added to the Rockies 40-man roster on November 20, 2013.[7]He started the 2014 season with the Triple-AColorado Springs Sky Sox.[8][9]He made 12 starts for the SkySox before earning his first promotion to the major leagues, going 5-4 with a 4.05 ERA, striking out 61 and walking 31 in66+2⁄3innings.

Matzek was promoted to theColorado Rockieson June 11, 2014, to replaceEddie Butler,who went on the disabled-list after his major league debut. Matzek made his major league debut that day, giving up two runs on five hits with seven strikeouts and no walks in seven innings in an 8-2 victory against theAtlanta Braves.[10]He also recorded his first hit off ofJulio Teherán,an infield-single in the 7th inning, and he later scored. Matzek got his first career complete game shutout September 5, 2014 vs theSan Diego Padres.In the game, he gave up three hits and the Rockies won the game 3-0. At the end of the season, Matzek won 6 games while losing 11 in 19 starts.[11]

Matzek began the 2015 season in the Rockies rotation, but after experiencing control problems he was sent down to Triple-A. He would spend the rest of the season in Triple-A.[12]He began the 2016 season on the disabled list. He was outrighted off the roster at midseason and was released at the end of the season.[citation needed]

Chicago White Sox

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In 2017, Matzek signed a minor league contract with theChicago White Sox.[13][14]He was released on March 28, 2017. After leaving the White Sox organization, Matzek did not play that year.[15]

Seattle Mariners

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In 2018, he signed a minor league contract with theSeattle Mariners.He was released on March 30, 2018.[citation needed]

Texas AirHogs

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On April 12, 2018, Matzek signed with theTexas AirHogsof the independentAmerican Association.In88+2⁄3innings, he struck out 93 batters but walked 66 batters.[citation needed]

Arizona Diamondbacks

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On January 15, 2019, Matzek signed a minor league contract with theArizona Diamondbacksfollowing a showcase with Driveline baseball.[16]He was released on May 16, 2019.

Texas AirHogs (second stint)

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On June 9, 2019, Matzek signed with theTexas AirHogsof theAmerican Association.He had a 2.64 ERA and 53 strikeouts in30+2⁄3innings pitched.[citation needed]

Atlanta Braves

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On August 14, 2019, Matzek's contract was purchased by theAtlanta Braves.Matzek began his stint with theMississippi Braves,their Double-A affiliate. After just one appearance in which he pitched2+1⁄3innings and had five strikeouts, Matzek was promoted to the Braves Triple-A affiliate, theGwinnett Stripers.[citation needed]

For the 2020 season, Matzek made the Opening day roster, marking his first appearance in the majors since 2015. In 2020 he was 4-3 with a 2.79 ERA in 21 relief appearances covering 29 innings in which he struck out 43 batters.[17]

In 2021 he was 0–4 with a 2.57 ERA in 69 relief appearances in which he pitched 63 innings and struck out 77 batters.[17]In Game 6 of the2021 NLCSagainst theLos Angeles Dodgers,Matzek picked up the win with two perfect innings and four strikeouts. Matzek entered the game in a no-out jam with runners on second and third and struck out the side as the Braves clinched their first pennant since 1999.[18]Matzek was a relief pitcher in Game 6 of the2021 World Series,which Atlanta won to clinch the title.

Matzek began the 2022 season with 13 relief appearances in which he went 0–1 with a 5.06 ERA. On May 17, the Braves placed him on the injured list due to shoulder inflammation.[19][20]Matzek did not return to the team until July 4.[21]On August 9, Matzek recorded his first careersaveafter pitching a scoreless 11th inning against theBoston Red Sox.[22]

Having been left off of the roster for the2022 NLDSdue to elbow discomfort, Braves managerBrian Snitkerannounced on October 12, a few hours prior to Game 2, that Matzek would undergoTommy John surgery,sidelining him for the remainder of the postseason.[23][24]

On November 18, 2022, the Braves signed Matzek to a 2-year, $3.1 million contract extension with a club option for 2025.[25][26]He did not appear in a game in 2023 as he continued to recover from surgery. Matzek began the 2024 campaign with Atlanta, but struggled to a 9.90 ERA with 10 strikeouts across 11 appearances. He was placed on the injured list with left elbow inflammation on May 7,[27]and was transferred to the 60–day injured list on June 4.[28]

Personal life

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Matzek is married to Lauren, whom he met in high school.[29]She underwent cancer treatment in 2017,[30]while convincing Tyler to continue his professional baseball career, despite theyipsthat frustrated both Matzek and his catching partner, his younger brother Kyle.[31]ThroughMichael McKenry,Matzek met Jason Kuhn, a former collegiate baseball player and Navy SEAL who trained Matzek.[32]

References

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  1. ^Mahoney, Jon (March 25, 2009)."RISE Mag: Mahoney: Matzek stakes claim as top prep pitcher".ESPN.com.RetrievedJune 21,2024.
  2. ^"Rockies draft hard-throwing prep lefty".Colorado.rockies.mlb.com. March 27, 2014.RetrievedJune 10,2014.
  3. ^Jeff Smith, The Oregonian (August 18, 2009)."Oregon recruit Tyler Matzek signs late multi-million dollar deal with Rockies".Blog.oregonlive.com.RetrievedJune 10,2014.
  4. ^Whicker, Mark (July 23, 2011)."Tyler Matzek hits the reset button".Ocregister.com.RetrievedJune 10,2014.
  5. ^"Former top Rockies prospects find the road back".Hardballtalk.nbcsports.com. April 18, 2012.RetrievedJune 10,2014.
  6. ^Moss, Irv (July 20, 2013)."Tyler Matzek an improved pitcher with Double-A Tulsa Drillers".Denverpost.com.RetrievedJune 10,2014.
  7. ^"Tyler Matzek, Rockies' former No. 1 pick, added to 40-man roster".Blogs.denverpost.com. November 20, 2013.RetrievedJune 10,2014.
  8. ^Groke, Nick (February 17, 2014)."Tyler Matzek's pro journey pitching a call-up to Colorado Rockies".Denverpost.com.RetrievedJune 10,2014.
  9. ^Briggeman, Brent (April 10, 2014)."Rising star Matzek ready for altitude test".Gazette.com.RetrievedJune 10,2014.
  10. ^Patrick Saunders (December 12, 2012)."Rockies turn to rookie Tyler Matzek to debut Wednesday against Braves".The Denver Post.RetrievedJune 10,2014.
  11. ^"Tyler Matzek Statistics & History".Baseball-Reference.com.RetrievedJanuary 10,2017.
  12. ^"Tyler Matzek Register Statistics & History".Baseball-Reference.com.RetrievedJanuary 10,2017.
  13. ^"Tyler Matzek hopes tough journey from 1st rounder to indy ball ends in Atlanta".March 8, 2020.RetrievedOctober 18,2021.
  14. ^"White Sox' Tyler Matzek continues to battle back to the majors".South Side Sox.February 18, 2017.
  15. ^DiComo, Anthony (October 17, 2021)."Castoff to clutch: Matzek's mettle key in G1".MLB.com.RetrievedOctober 17,2021.
  16. ^"Robert Murray on Twitter".
  17. ^ab"Tyler Matzek Stats".Baseball-Reference.com.
  18. ^"'Mind-blowing what he just did': Tyler Matzek makes name for himself in leading Atlanta to World Series ".USA Today.
  19. ^"Atlanta Braves place reliever Tyler Matzek on 15-day IL because of shoulder discomfort".ESPN.com.Associated Press. May 17, 2022.RetrievedOctober 12,2022.
  20. ^Burns, Gabriel (July 10, 2022)."Injured Braves left-hander Tyler Matzek begins long-toss routine".Atlanta Journal Constitution.RetrievedOctober 12,2022.
  21. ^"Eddie Rosario, Tyler Matzek return for Braves".Atlanta Journal Constitution.July 4, 2022.RetrievedOctober 12,2022.
  22. ^"Braves News: Tyler Matzek records first career save, Orlando Arcia injured, more".batterypower.com.RetrievedMay 30,2023.
  23. ^Rogers, Jesse (October 12, 2022)."Braves reliever Tyler Matzek undergoing Tommy John surgery".ESPN.com.RetrievedOctober 12,2022.
  24. ^Henry, George (October 12, 2022)."Braves' Matzek has Tommy John surgery, out 12-18 months".Associated Press News.RetrievedOctober 12,2022.
  25. ^"Braves ink injured LHP Tyler Matzek to 2-year, $3.1M deal".ESPN.com.Associated Press. November 19, 2022.RetrievedNovember 22,2022.
  26. ^Toscano, Justin (November 18, 2022)."Braves sign Tyler Matzek to two-year contract".Atlanta Journal Constitution.RetrievedNovember 22,2022.
  27. ^"Braves' Tyler Matzek: Out with elbow inflammation".cbssports.com.RetrievedJune 4,2024.
  28. ^"Braves Sign Brian Anderson To Major League Deal".mlbtraderumors.com.RetrievedJune 4,2024.
  29. ^Saunders, Patrick (October 12, 2020)."Tyler Matzek, former Rockies' top pick, overcomes yips to shine for Braves' bullpen".Denver Post.RetrievedOctober 26,2021.Republished by theFort Morgan Times
  30. ^Whicker, Mark (October 25, 2021)."Braves' Tyler Matzek is putting finishing touches on a monumental comeback".Orange County Register.RetrievedOctober 26,2021.
  31. ^Apstein, Stephanie (October 24, 2021)."Tyler Matzek's Improbable Journey to Immortality in Atlanta".Sports Illustrated.RetrievedOctober 26,2021.
  32. ^Saunders, Patrick (October 26, 2021)."How Tyler Matzek conquered the yips and became the MLB postseason's most dominant reliever:" He's all heart and courage "".Denver Post.RetrievedOctober 26,2021.Republished by thePress-Telegram
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