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Atlanta Braves Acquire Brian Matusz + Comp Pick

By Fred Owens

Apr 25, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Brian Matusz (17) throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Baltimore Orioles 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Brian Matusz (17) throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Baltimore Orioles 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 7, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Brian Matusz (17) pitches during the eighth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Oakland Athletics defeated Baltimore Orioles 8-4. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
May 7, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Brian Matusz (17) pitches during the eighth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Oakland Athletics defeated Baltimore Orioles 8-4. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Great start then. . .

Even though the competition was at a much higher level than he’s ever seen, Matusz pitched to a a 4.62 ERA (99 ERA+) and 1.478 WHIP in his eight starts over 44 2/3 innings. Those numbers shot him up the Orioles prospect lists for both BA (#8) and BP (#18) entering 2010 and found himself comfortably in the Orioles starting rotation when the season started.

He continued to pitch well in 2010 making 32 starts and throwing 175 2/3 innings posting a 4.30 ERA, 4.05 FIP and 1.343 WHIP; numbers good enough to earn him fifth place in Rookie of the Year voting.

A strained intercostal muscle meant Matusz started 2011 on the DL and he didn’t return to the majors until June.  He made nine starts that month but threw only 25 2/3 innings and posted an 8.77 ERA and a 1.987 WHIP.

Matusz spent some time on the DL for a groin injury in June and was sent to AAA to rehab and figured out what went wrong.  At Norfolk he pitched to a 3.79 ERA in nine starts over 54 2/3 innings and he returned Baltimore in August making six more starts before the end of the season but the ERA was once again awful; an astronomical 12.75 with opponents posting a .387/.454/.745/1.199 against him.

In 2012 Matusz was back in the rotation making 16 games with a 5.42 ERA before being sent to Norfolk in July. He made six starts there with a 3.95 ERA over 41 innings before the Orioles decided to move him to the bullpen. He was recalled in August and used in relief making 18 appearance throwing 13 1/3 innings with a 1.35 ERA.

From 2013 through 2015 Matusz worked purely in relief making 185 relief appearances in that time. Each year however his ERA went up though 2014 was his only really bad year.

Matusz would have worked in the Orioles pen again this year but a back injury in spring training slowed him down and he didn’t get back to Baltimore until June. His return was less than stellar however and he made only seven appearances throwing six innings with a 12.00 ERA, 12.74 FIP and a 3.000 WHIP.

My At Bat app just informed me that the Braves have already designated Matusz for assignment. If he’s claimed this could be a lot cheaper for the  Braves. If he accepts assignment it’s possible Matusz could be fixed and might have a future as a LOOGY. The whole exercise was designed to give them another draft pick.

Next: Five Picks in the First 80

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