Apr 27, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher T. Matzek (15) leaves the game during the sixth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Tyler Matzek was demoted by the Colorado Rockies to short-season class A Boise to work on mechanics and command, and so far, it hasn’t gone very well.
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It wasn’t supposed to go like this for Tyler Matzek this summer for the Colorado Rockies. After making the big leagues — and impressing everyone in the Rockies’ system — in 2014, Matzek was the starter on the Rockies’ home opener at Coors Field in April against the Cubs.
He would only make it through five starts before it all fell apart, though. A player with command issues throughout most of his minor league career, who finally found his way for part of 2014, Matzek once again succumbed to command problems and the Colorado Rockies were forced to sit him down after 22 innings pitched this season.
In those 22 innings, Matzek walked 19 batters and hit three more while only striking out 15, eventually rendering himself ineffective in the rotation.
Things didn’t get better for him once demoted, though. In one appearance at AAA Albuquerque, Matzek walked seven and hit another in one inning of work. After taking a few weeks off game-related activities, Matzek resurfaced with the short-season Boise Hawks and the results have been… bad. He’s walked eight more batters — and hit another — in 2.1 innings over three appearances for the Hawks.
Now, will we see him in the big leagues again this season? Or is it a lost year for a player who has already struggled with control in his career? (Matzek once walked 96 batters in 97 innings in 2011, and 95 more hitters in 142.1 innings in 2012.)
Pretty simple poll:
As you always do, tweet us @RoxPileFS, or me @BobbyDeMuro, and give me your opinion on what you expect from Matzek.