Lot of questions to answer first. He’s not a big guy. And he’s throwing little besides FBs now. Scouting reports on his secondary stuff are good, but I’ve seen him 3-4 times and I doubt he’s thrown a half-dozen non-FBs total. They’re clearly being very cautious.
As long as they keep him on 2 innings or less than 35+/- pitches a week, he should have no problem throughout the FCL. He could probably even continue that till the end of the A ball season. He could build up 60+ innings of low impact innings this year then work as a starter next year and get to 90+ innings next.
He is still a fairly young 18yo (high school senior) a lot of directions they can go and protect his arm as much as possible.
I'd have to look back, but 60 innings for a 18 year old would probably be WAY past what they've done previously. Honestly, it'll probably be more towards an amount of innings that'll upset quite a few of people.
Neither Chandler or Solometo threw more than 50 innings their first year in the system, and they were older than Matoma.
I still remember the stories of Dylan Bundy throwing like two seven inning complete games over a weekend tournament in high school. Wasn't the only time that happened for him too.
Arm was pudding before he got to the majors and he still finished with over 7 years of service time lol.
Charlie Morton pitched HS ball near me, and I got to watch him a few times. Coach used to leave him in for 125-130 pitches on occasion - which is likely why he had arm problems in the minors and in his early years in MLB.
I am interested to see what they do with a lot of the arms at the Complex once the FCL season ends. Wonder if a few will get a week or two looks in Bradenton, if only to give a breather to some of the other arms.
I don't expect a lot, if any, of the arms in the Complex play all season there and then rest of season in Bradenton. MAYBE some of the older relievers like Jose Regalado. But if Matoma has a really good year and finishes healthy and strong, I'm wouldn't push it. Let him rest and put eyes on earning a rotation spot in Bradenton next year.
Is he starting pitcher or a reliever?
Lot of questions to answer first. He’s not a big guy. And he’s throwing little besides FBs now. Scouting reports on his secondary stuff are good, but I’ve seen him 3-4 times and I doubt he’s thrown a half-dozen non-FBs total. They’re clearly being very cautious.
As long as they keep him on 2 innings or less than 35+/- pitches a week, he should have no problem throughout the FCL. He could probably even continue that till the end of the A ball season. He could build up 60+ innings of low impact innings this year then work as a starter next year and get to 90+ innings next.
He is still a fairly young 18yo (high school senior) a lot of directions they can go and protect his arm as much as possible.
I'd have to look back, but 60 innings for a 18 year old would probably be WAY past what they've done previously. Honestly, it'll probably be more towards an amount of innings that'll upset quite a few of people.
Neither Chandler or Solometo threw more than 50 innings their first year in the system, and they were older than Matoma.
60 innings is the weekly workload on your average travel ball team.
These guys are soft.
(pleeeease read that with the intended sarcasm)
At least 2 week workload in travel ball if ya stay in the winners bracket lol.
I still remember the stories of Dylan Bundy throwing like two seven inning complete games over a weekend tournament in high school. Wasn't the only time that happened for him too.
Arm was pudding before he got to the majors and he still finished with over 7 years of service time lol.
Charlie Morton pitched HS ball near me, and I got to watch him a few times. Coach used to leave him in for 125-130 pitches on occasion - which is likely why he had arm problems in the minors and in his early years in MLB.
You're right, just thinking as long as the innings aren't stressful the time frame would work if he gets promoted after the FCL.
I am interested to see what they do with a lot of the arms at the Complex once the FCL season ends. Wonder if a few will get a week or two looks in Bradenton, if only to give a breather to some of the other arms.
I don't expect a lot, if any, of the arms in the Complex play all season there and then rest of season in Bradenton. MAYBE some of the older relievers like Jose Regalado. But if Matoma has a really good year and finishes healthy and strong, I'm wouldn't push it. Let him rest and put eyes on earning a rotation spot in Bradenton next year.
Yeah, it's like having Christmas presents you can't open for a year.
Love this. So hope it makes the long journey to the majors. What a story that will be.