Baseball Beginnings Breaking News: Matzek’s first interview after he signs with Rockies
John Klima | August 18, 2009
Tyler Matzek granted his first interview as a professional pitcher to Baseball Beginnings on Tuesday evening.
We caught up to the Rockies left-hander via cell phone somewhere on his family’s long drive home from Eugene back to California. Matzek, less than 24 hours removed from agreeing to terms, stayed away from the rumor mill during the summer. He worked out with Trayce Thompson and threw bullpens to stay in shape. Thompson signed with the White Sox and Matzek headed to the University of Oregon. While Matzek and the Rockies were playing out the process, the online rumors flew: Matzek had enrolled in Oregon and he was seeking between $7 to $10 million.
“The rumor that I was in Oregon was true,” Matzek told Baseball Beginnings. “I had been there since last Friday or Saturday getting moved in. The rumor that I was looking for $7 million was also true.”
As the deadline neared, Matzek said he contemplated his present situation and his future career path. He decided that playing professionally in 2010 would be more advantageous toward reaching the major leagues. As the deadline neared, Matzek decided it was time to set out on a different road.
“I was willing to compromise,” Matzek told Baseball Beginnings.
Matzek and the Rockies split the difference. He confirmed the $3.9 million signing bonus figure as first reported by Tracy Ringolsby on Monday night.
Matzek said he doesn’t regret the process, but said he is glad it is over. He expressed the feeling that his desire to pitch in the major leagues as soon as possible outweighed all other considerations.
“At the time, waiting seemed like the right move to make,” he told Baseball Beginnings. “What it came down to was the Rockies are a good organization that moves players quickly through the system. I’d like to be in the major leagues in two or three years, two at the best-case scenerio, but if it would be three that would be OK, too. It just came down to a desire to pitch in the big leagues.”
Baseball Beginnings extensively cover Matzek during the 2009 season. See our additional content here:
Read Tyler Matzek Q&A
Matzek hits 97
Watch Tyler Matzek Scouting video
Watch Tyler Matzek April Scouting video
Read Tyler Matzek Scouting report
Matzek Makes Final Start One to Savor
The final start of left-hander Tyler Matzek’s amateur baseball career was not a lesson in stuff, despite the low 90s his fastball was hitting in the seventh inning of a grueling start. It was instead a lesson in scouting his composure, competitiveness, and just when he needed it most, the sharp curveball he had been looking for all day.
Back in Arkansas, there was a high school center fielder who could run, field and throw. The kid was certain he could hit. At the time, some scouts agreed with him and some scouts didn’t. He signed as a mid-first rounder and hit .190 with no home runs and six errors in rookie ball. 
