Rockies farm roundup: Matzek struggles again at Modesto
Triple-A Colorado Springs (W, 2-1 vs. Fresno, box)
Third baseman Matt Macri drove in both Sky Sox runs with a two-run double. Right fielder Charlie Blackmon was 2-for-4 with a double. Shortstop Chris Nelson was 2-for-4. Starting pitcher Billy Buckner pitched five shutout innings. He was allowed by Sean White and Edgmer Escalona who each pitched a shutout inning. Jim Miller allowed the only run on a solo home run in the ninth, but still struck out the side picked up his third save.
Double-A Tulsa (W, 9-5 at Midland, box)
Starting pitcher Rob Scahill allowed two runs in seven innings to win his fourth game. Scahill gave up eight hits, walked no one and struck out four. Designated hitter James Cesario was 3-for-5 with a double, a home run and five RBI. Left fielder Scott Beerer was 4-for-5 with a double, three runs and a stolen base. Third baseman Warren Schaeffer doubled and drove in three runs.
High Class-A Modesto (W, 18-10 at High Desert, box)
For the second time this season, Tyler Matzek lasted just one inning. Matzek allowed five runs on three hits — including to home runs — and five walks. He struck out two. First baseman Kiel Roling was 4-for-6 with two home runs, a double, five RBI and four runs. Shortstop Josh Rutledge was 3-for-6 with a double, a triple, two runs and four RBI. Catcher Dallas Tarleton also drove in four runs. Right fielder Mike Zuanich and third baseman Nolan Arenado hit solo home runs.
Low Class-A Asheville (Suspended in bottom of fifth with Asheville leading 4-3 at Hagerstown)
Starting pitcher Peter Tago allowed three runs (one earned) in four innings. He gave up six hits, walked five and struck out one.
How did Matzek get so overrated by everyone in the baseball world. If we hadn’t signed him we all would have been screaming because he was the #1 high school pitcher on the board, if I remember correctly. Is this a mental thing or an ability thing?
I noticed Zaunich played RF. I thought he was a 1B. Noce to see he is versatile.
Proves once again what a crapshoot the MLB draft can be. Luck rules, especially with pitchers. First-rounder Matzek flaming out while 30th rounder Billings lands with the big club. Go figure.
Matzek showed promise last year, despite way too many walks. Right now, he’s cooked, career over, unless he gets someone to look into his head first, then do a demolition job on his mechanics and start over. Look at Ubaldo Jimenez. Maybe some similarities there too, who knows. Matzek should not pitch again this season. Just work on his head and mechanics on the side. Every terrible performance is just more traumatic, consciously or subconsciously.
Well if the belief his “career is over” someone please get him to the Rays organization.
I do agree the draft can be a crap shoot. Ever wonder how many good pitchers are out there that don’t make it? Plenty and for plenty of reasons.
I was very glad to see Joey Williamson come back. I thought he was doing pretty well prior to calling it quits. Shocked me but sometimes it happens. If I remember correctly he was drafted way down the list.
Matzek is still just a kid. Don’t give up on him. Sometimes it takes young pitchers years to become good. Sandy Koulfax was a minus .500 pitcher his first 6 years in the bigs and then boom! Warren Spahn won 363 games, 355 after he was 26! Granted he was in WWII most of that time but still he never made the majors until he was 21. He might turn out to be nothing but do NOT give up on him yet.
He has too many pitching gurus in his head!