Matt Ager
Position: RHP
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 225 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 05/21/2003
College: University of California, Santa Barbara
How Acquired: Drafted 6th round, 174th Overall, 2024
Bonus: $357,400
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: 2027
Minor League Free Agency: 2030
Options Left: 3
Overview
Ager throws four pitches and has usually shown very good control. His fastball averages 92-93 mph and his best secondary pitch is a slider. His curve isn’t as effective and his change is about average. For some reason, in college his walk rate went from 2.5 per nine innings as a sophomore to 4.0 as a junior, and he was moved to relief. The issue may have been related to a fall oblique injury. Baseball America ranked Ager 104th among draft prospects, MLB Pipeline 135th. He signed for $2500 below the slot amount.
2024-25
Ager didn’t appear in any games after signing in 2024. He spent 2025 in the rotation at Bradenton. Altogether he made 19 starts and three relief appearances. Control was a problem throughout and he didn’t miss many bats; he had a 5.6 BB/9 and 5.9 K/9. The worse problems occurred in May, when he had a 10.22 ERA. He pitched well in June and July, with a 3.31 ERA and 1.16 WHIP, then slumped in August, with the control problems resurfacing. On the season, Ager had a 4.86 ERA and 1.65 WHIP.
Stats
Transactions
July 15, 2024: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 6th round, 174th overall pick; signed on July 22.