Baseball Beginnings

By John Klima
May 27, 2009

(photo: Baseball Beginnings)

Tyler Matzek’s outing Tuesday night resulted in a consensus opinion among attending scouts that the Capistrano Valley High left-hander’s stuff was the sharpest it has been this season. His first two pitches of the game were at 94 mph. By the second inning, he was hitting 97 a few times. This was the best breaking ball he has had and his cutters to right-handed hitters were hard and down. He pitched six innings, struck out seven and gave up three metal-bat singles in a playoff game victory.

Baseball Beginnings first caught up with Matzek in early April. At that time, some scouts grumbled that he hadn’t been very good early in the spring. He never fell off the charts and was going to go good either way, but he helped himself Tuesday. We caught up with him after the game for a follow-up Q&A to our earlier effort.

Baseball Beginnings: Today you hit 97 mph and pitched at 94 on the corners.
Matzek: I was throwing 97?

Baseball Beginnings: I saw you smile when I said 97. Are you surprised?
Matzek: Yeah, that’s the hardest I’ve thrown. I threw that once in Florida, but I think it’s been a while since I’ve been up there.

Baseball Beginnings: That’s what you touched a few times. The consensus among the scouts was that it was the best stuff they felt you had all season and that you may have elevated yourself a few notches. In your mind and arm, was that the best stuff you feel you’ve had as a high school pitcher this year?
Matzek: I’d say it was. My arm felt really good.

Baseball Beginnings: What’s your reaction to this talk that you could get up in the top five picks?
Matzek: (Smiles again.) We’ll see what happens.

Baseball Beginnings: The only start I’ve seen this season was early April. How do you think you’ve been since then?
Matzek: Yeah, better stuff wise and more consistency. We’ve had a little bit more rest between playoff games, so that break really helped me to get ready. I’m more rested now.

Baseball Beginnings: What I’m getting at is are you peaking at the right time, in the playoffs, and before the draft?
Matzek: Yeah, definitely. My team helped me get that shot.

Read Matzek’s first interview after he signs with Rockies
Read Tyler Matzek Q&A
Watch Tyler Matzek Scouting video
Watch Tyler Matzek April Scouting video
Read Tyler Matzek Scouting report
Matzek Makes Final Start One to Savor
Colorado Rockies Select Tyler Matzek

Categories: '09 Meet the Player
Tags: Tyler Matzek, University of Oregon