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Brian Matusz

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Brian Matusz
Matusz with the Baltimore Orioles in 2009
Pitcher
Born: (1987-02-11)February 11, 1987
Grand Junction, Colorado, U.S.
Died: January 6, 2025(2025-01-06) (aged 37)
Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
MLB debut
August 4, 2009, for the Baltimore Orioles
Last MLB appearance
July 31, 2016, for the Chicago Cubs
MLB statistics
Win–loss record27–41
Earned run average4.92
Strikeouts462
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  United States
Pan American Games
Silver medal – second place 2007 Rio de Janeiro Team

Brian Robert Matusz (/ˈmætəs/ MAT-əs; February 11, 1987 – January 6, 2025) was an American professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles and the Chicago Cubs from 2009 to 2016.

Amateur career

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Matusz attended St. Mary's High School in Phoenix, Arizona, graduating in 2005.[1] He enrolled at the University of San Diego, where he played college baseball for the San Diego Toreros. Matusz, Josh Romanski, and Matt Couch anchored the Toreros starting rotation.[2]

In the summer of 2007, Matusz pitched for the U.S. national collegiate team, going 3–1 with a 1.33 ERA in four starts as the U.S. finished second in the Pan Am Games in Rio de Janeiro.[3][4]

Matusz pitching for the San Diego Torreros

In 2008 with San Diego, Matusz was named the West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year, was a finalist for the Roger Clemens Award, and was a first-team All-American. He led the NCAA with 141 strikeouts and was 12–2 with a 1.71 ERA in 105 innings. In three season with San Diego, he had 396 strikeouts, a school record.[5][6][7]

Professional career

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Baltimore Orioles

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The Baltimore Orioles selected Matusz in the first round, with the fourth overall selection, in the 2008 MLB draft. Matusz signed a contract with the Orioles on August 15, 2008, the deadline to sign draft picks, receiving a $3.2 million signing bonus.[5][8] The Orioles invited him to spring training as a non-roster player in 2009. In June 2009, he was promoted from the High-A Frederick Keys to the Double-A Bowie Baysox. He struck out 10 batters in his first start for Bowie on June 17. Matusz was named Baseball America's ninth best overall prospect mid-season in 2009.[9] Before the 2010 season, Baseball America named him the fifth best prospect in all of baseball.[10]

Matusz made his MLB debut on August 4, 2009, against the Detroit Tigers. He went five innings, allowing six hits, one earned run and striking out five. He earned a win in his effort. On September 14, the O's decided to shut him down for the remainder of the season, wary of overextending the rookie in his first big league season.[11] He was named a starting pitcher on Baseball America's 2010 All-Rookie Team.[12]

Matusz missed the first two months of the 2011 season with an injury.[13] He returned and got six starts and finished with a 1–4 record with an ERA above 7.00 before being demoted to Triple-A Norfolk on June 30 to work on his velocity.[14] He was later recalled and continued to struggle, posting a 1–7 record and 9.84 ERA before his removal from the starting rotation in September.[15][16]

Matusz in 2009

Matusz began the 2012 season in the rotation, but was demoted to the bullpen in August. In the bullpen, he excelled, striking out 19 with a 1.35 ERA in 18 appearances. He also did not allow a single inherited runner to score. He pitched the last three months of the season with a rectus abdominis tear, preventing him from sprinting, but not pitching. He had surgery in October to repair the tear, and was expected to be back for spring training.[17] In 2013, Matusz made the transition to full-time reliever, appearing in 65 games. He was 2–1 with a 3.53 ERA for the Orioles.[18][19] On May 23, 2015, he was ejected from the game against the Miami Marlins in the 12th inning for having a foreign substance on his right forearm. He was the second pitcher to be ejected for a foreign substance that week. He was suspended for eight games.[20][19] He posted a 2.94 ERA and 10.29 strikeouts per nine innings in 58 relief appearances in 2015. On February 4, 2016, Matusz and the Orioles agreed to a one-year deal to avoid arbitration.[21]

On May 23, the Orioles traded Matusz and the 76th pick in the 2016 Major League Baseball draft to the Atlanta Braves for minor league pitchers Brandon Barker and Trevor Belicek. The Braves designated Matusz for assignment on June 1, shortly after trading for him.[22][23]

Chicago Cubs

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On June 15, 2016, the Chicago Cubs signed Matusz to a minor league contract. After being employed solely as a reliever since 2012, the Cubs assigned him to be a starter in the minors. On July 30, 2016, the Cubs called him up to start against the Seattle Mariners on July 31.[24] However, after a poor outing in the game, the Cubs designated him for assignment the next day.[25] He cleared waivers later and was outrighted to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs.[26] Despite only appearing in one game for the Cubs during their 2016 World Series season, he was given a World Series ring.[27] In his final MLB season, he allowed 14 runs in 9 innings in 8 games combined with the Orioles and Cubs.[28] Matusz elected free agency following the season on November 7.[29][23]

Later career

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On February 13, 2017, Matusz signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.[30] In 11 games for the Triple-A Reno Aces, he struggled to a 6.11 ERA with 13 strikeouts across 17+2⁄3 innings pitched. On May 16, he was released by the Diamondbacks.[31]

On July 23, 2019, Matusz signed with the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League.[32] He made one start, allowing 5 hits and 5 earned runs with 3 walks and 2 strikeouts in 3 innings.[33] On August 2, 2019, he signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League.[34][35] In 46+2⁄3 innings across nine starts, he went 2–3 with a 4.05 ERA and 45 strikeouts.[36]

Personal life and death

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Matusz's brother, Chris, played college baseball at Iowa Wesleyan University.[37]

Matusz died in Phoenix on January 6, 2025, at the age of 37, due to an apparent drug overdose.[38][39][40]

References

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  1. ^ Obert, Richard (April 26, 2016). "St. Mary's all-time baseball lineup card". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
  2. ^ "2008 Season Outlook". CSTV.com. CBS College Sports Network. January 29, 2008. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
  3. ^ "Overall Results for the 2007 Collegiate National Team" (PDF). USA Baseball.
  4. ^ "Baseball: Men's Team: USA - United States of America". XV Pan American Games. Archived from the original on August 25, 2007.
  5. ^ a b "Orioles come to terms with first-round pick Brian Matusz". MLB.com (Press release). August 15, 2008. Archived from the original on March 10, 2012. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
  6. ^ "Brian Matusz Minor League, Independent League, MLB, College Baseball Statistics". The Baseball Cube. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  7. ^ "USD Athletics Mourns the Passing of Torero Legend Brian Matusz". University of San Diego Athletics. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  8. ^ Trezza, Joe (July 15, 2024). "Top Orioles Draft pick from every season". MLB.com. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
  9. ^ Stacey (September 12, 2022). "Monday Bird Droppings: September is not going as planned". Camden Chat. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  10. ^ Cooper, J.J. (February 23, 2010). "The Complete Top 100 Prospects List". Baseball America. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
  11. ^ "Orioles decide to shut down rookie lefty Matusz". The Sports Network. The Canadian Press. September 14, 2009. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
  12. ^ Eddy, Matt (October 19, 2010). "Future Big League Stars Highlight All-Rookie Team". Baseball America. Archived from the original on October 25, 2010. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
  13. ^ Schmuck, Peter (April 2, 2011). "Matusz's injury has Orioles already scrambling". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on September 20, 2015. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  14. ^ Zaleon, Avi (June 30, 2011). "Struggling Matusz optioned to Norfolk". MLB.com. Archived from the original on June 17, 2016. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  15. ^ "Orioles' Brian Matusz out of rotation". Associated Press. September 6, 2011. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  16. ^ Ball, Zachary. "What the Hell Happened to Baltimore's Brian Matusz?". Bleacher Report. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  17. ^ Ghiroli, Brittany (November 7, 2012). "Matusz on track for Spring Training after surgery". MLB.com. Archived from the original on June 17, 2016. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  18. ^ "Brian Matusz is as smooth as Mozart in Orioles 'pen". San Diego Union-Tribune. May 3, 2013. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  19. ^ a b Encina, Eduardo A. (May 25, 2016). "Brian Matusz: 'Being a part of the Baltimore Orioles is all I really know'". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on January 8, 2025. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  20. ^ "Brian Matusz Second Pitcher This Week Ejected for "Foreign Substance"". May 24, 2015.
  21. ^ Kruth, Cash (February 4, 2016). "Orioles avoid arbitration with Matusz". MLB.com. Archived from the original on February 8, 2016. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  22. ^ Kubatko, Roch (May 25, 2016). "Brian Matusz looking back and ahead following trade". MASN. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
  23. ^ a b "Brian Matusz". Retrosheet. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  24. ^ "How to bet Sunday night's matchup between the Mariners and Cubs". ESPN. July 31, 2016.
  25. ^ "Cubs Part Ways With LHP Brian Matusz, Recall RHP Spencer Patton". CBS Chicago. August 1, 2016. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
  26. ^ Wray, Miles (August 8, 2016). "SP Brian Matusz lands with Triple-A Iowa Cubs". Today's Knuckleball. Archived from the original on August 9, 2016. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
  27. ^ "Matusz returns home, looking for chance in D-backs bullpen". February 21, 2017.
  28. ^ "Brian Matusz Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  29. ^ Eddy, Matt (November 8, 2016). "Minor League Free Agents 2016". Baseball America. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  30. ^ Adams, Steve (February 13, 2017). "D-Backs, Brian Matusz Agree To Minor League Deal". MLB Trade Rumors.
  31. ^ "Minor MLB Transactions: 5/16/17". mlbtraderumors.com. May 16, 2017. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  32. ^ "Ex Grandes Ligas Brian Matusz se une a Acereros". Acereros de Monclova (in Spanish). July 23, 2019. Archived from the original on July 23, 2019. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  33. ^ "Matusz trying to make comeback via independent league". MASNsports.com - Orioles and Nationals on MASNsports.com. August 7, 2019.
  34. ^ "Baltimore Orioles: Brian Matusz Is Back On The Mound As A Duck". Birds Watcher. August 8, 2019. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  35. ^ "Matusz's masterpiece helps Ducks tie franchise-long winning streak". Long Island Ducks. September 10, 2019. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  36. ^ "2019 Long Island Ducks Statistics". Baseball Reference. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
  37. ^ Rill, Jake (January 7, 2025). "Brian Matusz, lefty who had Big Papi's number, dies at 37". MLB.com. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
  38. ^ Li, David K. (January 8, 2025). "Body of Brian Matusz, former Baltimore Orioles pitcher, found at Phoenix home". NBC News. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
  39. ^ Allentuck, Danielle; Davis, Darreonna (January 13, 2025). "Former Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz likely died from overdose, according to police report". The Baltimore Banner. Archived from the original on January 14, 2025. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  40. ^ Meyer, Jacob Calvin (January 13, 2025). "Former Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz likely died of drug overdose, Phoenix police say". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on January 14, 2025. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
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