Biographical

Portrait of Brian Matusz

Brian Matusz PD-backs

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2019 Projections (Preseason PECOTA - seasonal age 32)
IP ERA WHIP SO W L SV WARP
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Birth Date2-11-1987
Height6' 5"
Weight190 lbs
Age37 years, 2 months, 14 days
BatsL
ThrowsL
0.42015
-0.22016
2017
2018
-0.32019
proj
WARP Summary

MLB Statistics

Historical (past-seasons) WARP is now based on DRA..
cFIP and DRA are not available on a by-team basis and display as zeroes(0). See TOT line for season totals of these stats.
Multiple stints are are currently shownClick to hide.
YEAR Team Lg G GS IP W L SV H BB SO HR PPF H/9 BB/9 HR/9 K/9 GB% BABIP WHIP FIP ERA cFIP DRA DRA- WARP
2009 BAL MLB 8 8 44.7 5 2 0 52 14 38 6 108 10.5 2.8 1.2 7.7 0% .333 1.48 4.12 4.63 107 5.20 111.5 0.2
2010 BAL MLB 32 32 175.7 10 12 0 173 63 143 19 113 8.9 3.2 1.0 7.3 0% .292 1.34 4.02 4.30 107 4.65 104.9 1.3
2011 BAL MLB 12 12 49.7 1 9 0 81 24 38 18 101 14.7 4.3 3.3 6.9 0% .382 2.11 7.69 10.69 142 7.81 181.6 -1.6
2012 BAL MLB 34 16 98.0 6 10 0 112 41 81 15 103 10.3 3.8 1.4 7.4 0% .319 1.56 4.63 4.87 109 5.13 117.6 0.0
2013 BAL MLB 65 0 51.0 2 1 0 43 16 50 3 98 7.6 2.8 0.5 8.8 0% .292 1.16 2.93 3.53 89 3.46 82.9 0.7
2014 BAL MLB 63 0 51.7 2 3 0 51 17 53 7 98 8.9 3.0 1.2 9.2 0% .301 1.32 4.03 3.48 99 3.58 87.9 0.6
2015 BAL MLB 58 0 49.0 1 4 0 38 20 56 5 112 7.0 3.7 0.9 10.3 0% .271 1.18 3.55 2.94 101 3.95 92.4 0.4
2016 BAL 0 7 0 6.0 0 0 0 11 7 1 3 113 16.5 10.5 4.5 1.5 41% .333 3.00 12.77 12.00 125 6.78 150.1 -0.1
2016 CHN 0 1 1 3.0 0 0 0 6 2 2 3 87 18.0 6.0 9.0 6.0 38% .300 2.67 17.85 18.00 146 8.83 195.3 -0.1
2016 TOT MLB 8 1 9.0 0 0 0 17 9 3 6 105 17.0 9.0 6.0 3.0 40% .324 2.89 14.46 14.00 132 7.46 165.2 -0.2
CareerMLB28069528.727410567204462791069.73.51.37.937%.3131.464.514.921094.85111.11.3

Statistics for All Levels

'opp' stats - Quality of opponents faced - have been moved and are available only as OPP_QUAL in the Statistics reports now.
Minor league stats are currently shownClick to hide.
YEAR Team Lg LG G GS IP W L SV H BB SO HR PPF H/9 BB/9 HR/9 K/9 GB% BABIP WHIP FIP ERA cFIP DRA DRA-
2008 gcr Wnt AFL 7 6 26.7 2 4 0 26 7 31 6 8.8 2.4 2.0 10.4 0% .294 1.24 5.90 4.72 0 0.00 0.0
2009 BAL MLB AL 8 8 44.7 5 2 0 52 14 38 6 108 10.5 2.8 1.2 7.7 0% .333 1.48 4.12 4.63 107 5.20 111.5
2009 FRD A+ CRL 11 11 66.7 4 2 0 56 21 75 5 102 7.6 2.8 0.7 10.1 0% .293 1.15 3.06 2.16 78 3.27 68.8
2009 BOW AA EAS 8 8 46.3 7 0 0 31 11 46 2 93 6.0 2.1 0.4 8.9 0% .250 0.91 2.48 1.56 68 2.14 45.0
2010 BAL MLB AL 32 32 175.7 10 12 0 173 63 143 19 113 8.9 3.2 1.0 7.3 0% .292 1.34 4.02 4.30 107 4.65 104.9
2011 BAL MLB AL 12 12 49.7 1 9 0 81 24 38 18 101 14.7 4.3 3.3 6.9 0% .382 2.11 7.69 10.69 142 7.81 181.6
2011 FRD A+ CAR 1 1 4.0 0 0 0 2 2 2 0 85 4.5 4.5 0.0 4.5 0% .167 1.00 3.72 2.25 112 3.88 79.2
2011 BOW AA EAS 1 1 6.0 0 0 0 3 1 1 0 78 4.5 1.5 0.0 1.5 0% .150 0.67 3.57 0.00 114 3.60 73.4
2011 NOR AAA INT 9 9 54.7 2 3 0 51 19 41 4 94 8.4 3.1 0.7 6.8 0% .290 1.28 3.83 3.46 101 4.06 82.9
2012 BAL MLB AL 34 16 98.0 6 10 0 112 41 81 15 103 10.3 3.8 1.4 7.4 0% .319 1.56 4.63 4.87 109 5.13 117.6
2012 NOR AAA INT 10 6 47.0 2 1 1 43 15 32 2 93 8.2 2.9 0.4 6.1 0% .281 1.23 3.30 4.21 96 4.11 85.7
2013 BAL MLB AL 65 0 51.0 2 1 0 43 16 50 3 98 7.6 2.8 0.5 8.8 0% .292 1.16 2.93 3.53 89 3.46 82.9
2014 BAL MLB AL 63 0 51.7 2 3 0 51 17 53 7 98 8.9 3.0 1.2 9.2 0% .301 1.32 4.03 3.48 99 3.58 87.9
2015 BAL MLB AL 58 0 49.0 1 4 0 38 20 56 5 112 7.0 3.7 0.9 10.3 0% .271 1.18 3.55 2.94 101 3.95 92.4
2016 BAL MLB AL 7 0 6.0 0 0 0 11 7 1 3 113 16.5 10.5 4.5 1.5 41% .333 3.00 12.77 12.00 125 6.78 150.1
2016 CHN MLB NL 1 1 3.0 0 0 0 6 2 2 3 87 18.0 6.0 9.0 6.0 38% .300 2.67 17.85 18.00 146 8.83 195.3
2016 FRD A+ CAR 2 0 7.0 0 0 0 3 0 12 1 3.9 0.0 1.3 15.4 46% .167 0.43 1.97 1.29 46 1.20 26.4
2016 BOW AA EAS 3 1 3.0 0 0 0 8 1 4 2 117 24.0 3.0 6.0 12.0 38% .545 3.00 10.35 21.00 99 6.83 150.8
2016 TEN AA SOU 1 0 3.3 0 0 0 2 2 6 0 5.4 5.4 0.0 16.2 50% .333 1.20 1.51 2.70 67 2.54 56.0
2016 IOW AAA PCL 4 3 13.3 0 1 0 12 4 17 1 88 8.1 2.7 0.7 11.5 29% .333 1.20 3.04 3.38 70 2.52 55.7
2016 CUB Rk AZL 4 4 7.0 0 0 0 3 1 10 0 97 3.9 1.3 0.0 12.9 69% .231 0.57 1.68 1.29 63 0.50 10.9
2017 RNO AAA PCL 11 0 17.7 0 1 0 26 5 13 3 13.2 2.5 1.5 6.6 37% .371 1.75 5.30 6.11 102 6.22 132.3
2019 MVA AAA MEX 1 1 3.0 0 1 0 5 3 2 0 15.0 9.0 0.0 6.0 0% .455 2.67 5.77 15.00 0 0.00 0.0

Plate Discipline

YEAR Pits Zone% Swing% Contact% Z-Swing% O-Swing% Z-Contact% O-Contact% SwStr%
2009 744 0.5417 0.4489 0.7665 0.6253 0.2405 0.8095 0.6341 0.2335
2010 2877 0.5276 0.4633 0.8035 0.6146 0.2943 0.8403 0.7175 0.1965
2011 936 0.5256 0.4071 0.8451 0.5874 0.2072 0.8893 0.7065 0.1549
2012 1686 0.5451 0.4620 0.8062 0.6028 0.2934 0.8466 0.7067 0.1938
2013 850 0.4988 0.4682 0.7136 0.6533 0.2840 0.7653 0.5950 0.2864
2014 891 0.4848 0.4747 0.7730 0.6644 0.2963 0.8293 0.6544 0.2270
2015 822 0.4976 0.4757 0.6931 0.6699 0.2833 0.7591 0.5385 0.3069
2016 205 0.4537 0.4244 0.8046 0.6989 0.1964 0.8462 0.6818 0.1954
Career90110.52050.45790.78370.62600.27660.82860.67250.2163

Injury History  —  No longer being updated

Last Update: 12/31/2014 23:59 ET

Date On Date Off Transaction Days Games Side Body Part Injury Severity Surgery Date Reaggravation
2014-02-24 2014-03-02 Camp 6 0 - Fingers Other Wart Removed 2014-03-13 -
2012-10-17 2012-10-17 Off 0 0 - Abdomen Surgery Rectus Abdominis 2012-10-17 -
2012-06-12 2012-06-15 DTD 3 3 - Contusion - -
2011-06-19 2011-06-25 DTD 6 5 Left Thigh Cramp Hamstring -
2011-04-10 2011-04-10 On-Alr 0 0 Left Fingers Dermatological Issue Wart Removed From Middle Finger -
2011-03-30 2011-06-01 15-DL 63 53 Trunk Strain Intercostal -
2011-02-27 2011-03-08 Camp 9 0 Left Fingers Dermatological Issue Wart Removed From Middle Finger -
2010-09-14 2010-09-20 DTD 6 5 Left Upper Arm Contusion Triceps -

Compensation

Year Team Salary
2017 ARI $
2016 BAL $3,900,000
2015 BAL $3,200,000
2014 BAL $2,400,000
2013 BAL $1,600,000
2012 BAL $1,450,000
2011 BAL $1,350,000
2010 BAL $1,300,000
2009 BAL $868,125
YearsDescriptionSalary
8 yrPrevious$16,068,125
8 yrTotal$16,068,125

 

Service TimeAgentContract Status
5 y 156 dExcel Sports1 year (2017)

Details
  • 1 year (2017). Signed by Arizona as a free agent 2/13/17 (minor-league contract).
  • 1 year/$3.9M (2016). Re-signed by Baltimore 2/4/16 (avoided arbitration, $4.4M-$3.5M). Acquired by Atlanta in trade from Baltimore 5/23/16. Released by Atlanta 6/1/16. Signed by Chicago Cubs as a free agent 6/14/16 (minor-league contract). Contract selected by Chicago Cubs 7/31/16. DFA by Chicago Cubs 8/1/16. Sent outright to Triple-A 8/3/16.
  • 1 year/$3.2M (2015). Re-signed by Baltimore 1/16/15 (avoided arbitration).
  • 1 year/$2.4M (2014). Re-signed by Baltimore 1/17/14 (avoided arbitration).
  • 1 year/$1.6M (2013). Re-signed by Baltimore 1/18/13 (avoided arbitration).
  • 4 years/$3,472,500 (2009-12). Signed Major League contract 8/15/08. $3.2M signing bonus (paid 2008-09). 09:$32,500, 10:$65,000, 11:$75,000, 12:$0.1M. Salaries in majors: 09:$0.425M, 10:$0.5M, 11:$0.55M, 12:$0.65M.
  • Drafted by Baltimore 2008 (1-4) (San Diego University).

2019 Preseason Forecast

Last Update: 1/27/2017 12:35 ET

PCT W L SV G GS IP H BB SO HR BABIP WHIP ERA DRA VORP WARP
90o 0 2.2 1.7 41 3 50.7 43 19 42 7 .254 1.24 3.98 4.37 -7.3 -0.8
80o 0 1.9 1.4 36 2 44.4 41 18 37 7 .269 1.34 4.40 4.84 -8.6 -0.9
70o 0 1.7 1.2 32 2 40.1 39 17 33 6 .280 1.41 4.72 5.19 -9.2 -1.0
60o 0 1.6 1.1 29 2 36.5 37 17 30 6 .289 1.48 4.99 5.49 -9.5 -1.0
50o 0 1.4 0.9 27 2 33.2 35 16 28 6 .298 1.54 5.25 5.78 -9.7 -1.1
40o 0 1.3 0.8 24 2 30.0 33 15 25 5 .307 1.61 5.52 6.07 -9.7 -1.1
30o 0 1.1 0.7 21 1 26.6 31 14 22 5 .316 1.68 5.81 6.39 -9.5 -1.0
20o 0 1 0.6 18 1 22.8 28 12 19 4 .327 1.77 6.16 6.78 -9.0 -1.0
10o 0 0.8 0.4 14 1 17.8 23 10 15 4 .343 1.90 6.65 7.33 -8.1 -0.9
Weighted Mean01.40.926232.43415275.2961.535.215.74-9.3-1.0

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BP Annual Player Comments

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BP Articles

Click here to see articles tagged with Brian Matusz

BP Chats

DateQuestionAnswer
2014-08-19 14:00:00 (link to chat)Does Baltimore have an issue with developing good starting pitching? Brian Matusz, Zach Britton, and Tommy Hunter are all now in the bullpen. Jake Arrieta is excelling in Chicago. Should Kevin Gausman be hoping for a trade?
(Shawn from Cubicle)
Kevin Gausman will be just fine. I don't think their player development is the greatest but that also has to do with the players' makeup and willing to make adjustments and work. (CJ Wittmann)
2013-07-29 11:00:00 (link to chat)Many talk about the Mariners lack of ability to develop their hitting prospects but couldn't you say the same about the Orioles on the pitching side? Jake Arrieta, Brian Matusz, Zach Britton along with the struggles of Kevin Gausman (SSS I know) and the injury to Dylan Bundy. Should the O's be mentioned in the same breath in regards to their lack of development skills on the mound?
(Roger Dorn from San Mateo)
I don't know if I'm ready to say that the O's do not know how to develop pitching just yet. However, I will admit a lot of their pitching prospects have had different prospect paths than I would have predicted. . (Zach Mortimer)
2012-02-20 13:00:00 (link to chat)What exactly was Brian Matusz's problem and how likely is he to bounce back?
(Phil K from Baltimore)
Matusz suffered an intercostal strain early last year and struggled to repeat his delivery - if a pitcher can't do that, he is totally hosed until he is healthy/fixed. I certainly think it can happen - there's nowhere to go but up - but wonder if there are any residual mental issues at work as well. (Jay Jaffe)
2012-02-07 13:00:00 (link to chat)Any chance Brian Matusz regains his stuff?
(john m from ct)
There is obviously SOME chance, it's counting on it that is the risky part. (Kevin Goldstein)
2012-01-26 13:00:00 (link to chat)Do you have any idea why Brian Matusz stunk so bad last year?
(Bob from maryland)
Not specifically, but when you lose your stuff and your confidence, making adjustments can very difficult. If he can stay healthy and focused, he still has the potential to become the pitcher people thought he would become. It's all about the ability to fail and adjust to that failure. (Jason Parks)
2011-09-02 14:00:00 (link to chat)True or False: Brian Matusz's miserable 2011 can be chalked up to an injury and the future remains just as bright.
(Jay from Madison)
I'm not sure I like either answer. I'm not especially optimistic, but I don't think he'll be a bust, either. (Kevin Goldstein)
2011-08-16 17:00:00 (link to chat)In a fantasy keeper league where the only pitching stats that count are IP and Runs Allowed, would you rather have Brian Matusz or Jeff Niemann over the next 3 years? Matusz will cost at least $15 a year going forward; Niemann will only make around $6 next season and possibly around $10-15 a season after that. Thank you!
(DS from LA)
At the start of this season, that would have been an easy Matusz answer. Now that both guys have durability issues on their resume, the answer isn't as clearcut. Maddon will let his guys work deeper into games if they show they can handle it so I'll take Niemann here as he's more likely to go 110 pitches into a game than Matusz is. (Jason Collette)
2011-06-21 13:00:00 (link to chat)Do you think Brian Matusz will get right this year? Opens on DL, comes off, pitches mediocre at best, tweaks hammy.... I had high hopes for him, and now am at the point of cutting him for free agent Bud Norris.
(Yatchisin from Santa Barbara)
I wouldn't give up on Matusz, but if you can drop him for Norris, I'd definitely do it. (Derek Carty)
2011-05-04 19:00:00 (link to chat)Am I going to be happy I've had Brian Matusz stashed on my roster all this time? There are folks like Dan Hudson and Brandon McCarthy lingering on our waiver wire.
(Yatchisin from Intercostal Clavicle)
I'd rather have Hudson right now since his worst stats are behind him (Jason Collette (note time))
2011-03-08 14:00:00 (link to chat)Which AL East youngster is the better bet for 2011: Brett Cecil or Brian Matusz?
(PepeShady from StP)
Gotta like both, but when the stats look similar I have to trust the scouts, who say that Matusz is the more likely ace among this pair. Cecil hasn't been able to duplicate his minor league ground ball and home run rates yet in the Majors, and he's in a home park where that can hurt... (Cory Schwartz)
2010-06-28 14:00:00 (link to chat)Orioles fan. Nobody in the majors is performing. Nobody in the minors is performing. I know they won't always be this bad, but realistically, when is the earliest they could contend? Last year pundits thought it was 2011/2012, but now that seems ridiculous. Will I have to wait until a salary cap is implemented or Angelos sells the team?
(Dan from Maryland)
This has been pretty much a lost year, as just about all of the key youngsters on whom the Orioles' future hinges has taken a step backwards - Adam Jones, Matt Wieters, Brian Matusz, Chris Tillman... In retrospect, I think the team waited too long to pull the plug on Dave Trembley, because the situation has just festered, but keep in mind the Orioles' poor standing also has to do with the fact that the other four teams in the division are especially strong; the O's are 8-25 (.242) against them, which is worse than the 1962 Mets' pace.

In terms of contention, I think a lot depends upon whom they hire as a manager. Buck Showalter might be able to get them playing respectable baseball by sometime next year, but contention will take some front office smarts, and I'm not sure the guy who signed Garrett Atkins need apply. (Jay Jaffe)
2010-05-14 13:00:00 (link to chat)We're approaching 40 games into the season, and the shock of the O's dismal start is starting to fade, and now I can't help but feel bitter. Wasn't this the year they were supposed to make it to .500, beginning an upward trend for at least a few years? Can you help me make sense of it all?
(tmcghan from Bay Area, CA)
Well, losing Brian Roberts for a couple of months is a major blow, but you're right, there's some disconcerting stuff going on there, such as Adam Jones' chilly start, the odd shipment of Nolan Reimold to Triple-A, and the inexplicable continuing presence of Garret Atkins. Still, Matt Wieters is making progress, as is Brian Matusz, and Chris Tillman appears to be coming around at Triple-A. Just remember that a turnaround for an organization with such a back history of losing takes time, and probably a change at the helm -- I'd have bet that Dave Trembley would get the axe before Trey Hillman, and I doubt he'll be around for much longer. (Jay Jaffe)
2010-04-21 14:00:00 (link to chat)Can you say anything to give Orioles' fans hope, other than it's early?
(TGisriel from Baltimore)
Brian Matusz looks really good and Wieters is showing flashes of what made everyone sabergasm. Mike Gonzalez isn't going to blow every save and it's not like Miguel Tejada will be there forever. (Eric Seidman)
2010-03-30 13:00:00 (link to chat)No more questions. Just wanted to thank you for the fun chat and for answering all 7 of my questions, even if some of them were a bit ridiculous (cy youngs, etc). Much appreciated! And oh... You have the right division and position for AL RoY but his name is Brian Matusz.
(Pat from New Jersey)
I just feel bad for people from Jersey.

Matusz isn't a terrible choice -- it could just come down to who has more inter-division starts. (Shawn Hoffman)
2010-03-26 13:00:00 (link to chat)Any thoughts on the Orioles' Chris Tillman? For such a highly regarded prospect last year with a guaranteed job in the bigs, I find there to be surprisingly little buzz about him.
(Aaron from YYZ)
He's a bit overshadowed by Brian Matusz, who seems more big-league ready at the moment and who as a lefty has skills that are a bit more rare. Tillman's 2.1 HR/9 last year suggests he's got some growing pains still ahead of him, but as a long-term play, there's a lot to like. (Jay Jaffe)
2010-03-03 14:00:00 (link to chat)Okay, I'll ask it: Brian Matusz at 18?
(Andrew from DC)
Um . . . That's where he is. I don't get the question. Too high? Too low? I obviously think it's just right. (Kevin Goldstein)
2010-02-17 16:00:00 (link to chat)What prospect are you aiming to take in your fantasy drafts this year?
(MarinerDan from SF)
For non-keeper leagues, I like Neftali Feliz, Jason Heyward, Buster Posey, Wade Davis, and Brian Matusz. Almost all of those guys will get good playing time. One deep sleeper I like okay is Mark Hamilton of the Cardinals. (Tommy Bennett)
2010-01-26 14:00:00 (link to chat)Which young dynamic duo would you choose for your team long term? Neftali Feliz and Derek Holland or Chris Tillman and Brian Matusz?
(Chad from Arlington)
Feliz/Holland, I think. The combined upside is higher. (Tommy Bennett)


BP Roundtables

DateRoundtable NameComment
2010-04-05 09:30:00Season Opener RoundtableJquinton82 (NY): Heres a few topics: 1) Madison Bumgarner's missing velocity 2) First top 25 prospect to get called up, who & when? 3) The next Jimmy Rollins is...? 4) Word association - Yogi Berra ...discuss amongst yourselves

1) Either he's hurt, or he left it in his other pants. Like lost car keys, missing velocity is always in the last place you look.

2) Well, with Jason Heyward, Neftali Feliz, Brian Matusz and Alcides Escobar breaking camp, this doesn't seem like that big a deal, but I'll go with Buster Posey, May 9, after Bengie Molina sprains some fat.

3) ...taller than Rollins and hopefully blessed with a better OBP.

4) Provider of great book titles by cool people, including our own It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over and friend Emma Span's 90% of The Game Is Half Mental, which is one of this spring's funniest baseball books.

Speaking of Yogi, I read a quote the other day that was attributed to him: "In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is." Alas, that quote has also been attributed to one Johannes "Jan" L. A. van de Snepscheut, a Dutch computer scientist who taught at Caltech before bludgeoning his wife to death with an axe in 1994.

So there's a happy tale. (Jay Jaffe)
 

PITCHf/x Pitcher Profile

A Collaboration between BrooksBaseball.net and Baseball Prospectus - Pitch classifications provided by Pitch Info LLC


Although he has not thrown an MLB pitch in 2024, Brian Matusz threw 9,162 pitches that were tracked by the PITCHf/x system between 2009 and 2017, all of them occuring in Spring Training. In 2017, he relied primarily on his Fourseam Fastball (89mph), also mixing in a Slider (84mph), Change (79mph) and Curve (77mph).