House That Hank Built
Fansided

Braves 2021 Player Previews: Can Tyler Matzek Repeat His Dominance

By Edgar Galvan

FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - MARCH 01: Tyler Matzek #59 of the Atlanta Braves delivers a pitch against the Boston Red Sox during the third inning of a Grapefruit League spring training game at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on March 01, 2020 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - MARCH 01: Tyler Matzek #59 of the Atlanta Braves delivers a pitch against the Boston Red Sox during the third inning of a Grapefruit League spring training game at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on March 01, 2020 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Atlanta Braves
Oct 16, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Tyler Matzek (68) in game five of the 2020 NLCS at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

What can the Braves expect from Matzek in 2021?

Here is what FanGraphs projects from Matzek in the 2021 season:

  • BAT – 56 G, 56 IP, 4.52 ERA, 4.64 FIP, 9.91 K/9, 5.91 BB/9, 72.4% LOB
  • ATC – 55 G, 61 IP, 3.65 ERA, 3.45 FIP, 11.55 K/9, 4.26 BB/9, 74.2% LOB
  • FGDC – 56 G, 56 IP, 3.95 ERA, 4.13 FIP, 11.72 K/9, 5.33 BB/9, 75.6% LOB
  • STMR – 56 G, 56 IP, 3.78 ERA, 3.88 FIP, 10.85 K/9, 3.97 BB/9, 75.1% LOB
  • ZiPs – 31 G, 35 IP, 4.11 ERA, 4.38 FIP, 12.60 K/9, 6.69 BB/9, 75.9% LOB

Most of the projections seem to be on the same page with the numbers not differing too much when it comes to ERA and FIP. It is a bit curious that ZiPs seems to project that Matzek will only appear in 31 games when others are projecting him to push 60 appearances.

Projections such as the K/9 seem to peak my interest the most. In 2020, Matzek managed 43 SO in 29 innings so that was encouraging.

Having a lefty in the bullpen capable of coming in and putting out hitters on a consistent basis is needed, being that last year’s bullpen, although very good, lacked the ability to put hitters away in important situations (most of which was very evident in the NLCS against the Dodgers… sigh).

Although Matzek is not the only left handed arm in the bullpen with this capability, it is always encouraging to have guys with this ability in your arsenal.

Regardless of the projections, it is good to see Matzek going strong and be part of the conversation again in this respect.

Home/Braves News