Rough on the Diamond – Brian Matusz

It’s hard to call last year’s fourth overall pick in the MLB draft a rough on the diamond, but he is afterall in the Baltimore Orioles farm system.  Brian was drafted out of  the University of San Diego last year after playing there for three seasons.  His sophomore season he went 10-3/2.85/1.10 with 163 strikeouts in 123 innings.  He was definitely on the radar at that point, then in his junior season he went out and just pitched masterfully, his statline was 12-2/1.71/1.00 with 141 strikeouts in 105 innings.

This year is his first professional season.  The Orioles opened him up in advanced A Frederickof the Carolina league.  So far this season he has gone 4-2 in 11 starts with an ERA of 2.17 and a WHIP of 1.16. Oh yeah and don’t forget 75 strikeouts in 67 innings for a K/9 rate of 10.2.  Yesterday the Orioles promoted him to AA Bowie, and today he starts against the Reading Phillies and their rising star, Mike Stutes.

My guess for Matusz is that he ends up in Baltimore by the end of the year.  They now have two guys that in a few years could be aces on their staff.  Because while Brian was promoted to AA, Jake Arrieta was promoted to AAA Norfolk a coupleof weeks ago.  Expect both Arrieta and Matusz to be in the running for spots in Baltimore’s rotation next season.

As far as Brian’s cards go, they run anywhere from $1 – $50.  The above autograph can be had for between $5 – $10, while some of his team USA autographs are running close to $50 depending on who else signed the card.  His game used items usually run about $2 – $5.  All of these could be a nice pickup, especially if he continues his dominating ways.

Have any of you seen Brian pitch? Do you think he can be a possible ace of the Orioles staff?  Got any of his cards? Leave a comment.