2009 Draft: #6 Tyler Matzek

[Greg Pappas]

Ages (in parentheses) are as of the 2009 Draft...

#1 Stephen Strasburg, RHSP, San Diego State, (20), 6-5/220

#2 Grant Green, SS, USC, (21), 6-3/180

#3 Aaron Crow, RHSP, Fort Worth Cats, (22), 6-2/200

#4 Alex White, RHSP, UNC, (20), 6-3/195

#5 Dustin Ackley, 1B/CF, UNC, (21) 6-1/185

#6 Tyler Matzek, LHSP, H.S (CA), (18), 6-3/185

#7 Kyle Gibson, RHSP, Missouri

#8 Matthew Purke, LHSP, H.S. (TX)

#9 Donovan Tate, OF, H.S. (GA)

#10 Mike Minor, LHSP, Vanderbilt

This is 'Part 6' in a ten-part series, and below I'll preview #6 overall prospect, Tyler Matzek:

#6... Tyler Matzek, LHSP, H.S. (CA), (18), 6-3/185

Tyler Matzek is a polished hard-throwing lefty starter from Capistrano Valley HS in California, and one that is drawing comparisons to the first pitcher selected in last year's draft (by Baltimore at #4) -- Brian Matusz.

Arguably the top rated high school prospect for the 2009 draft, Matzek has tremendous poise and an easily-repeatable and almost effortless delivery. Much like the former San Diego Toreros ace -Matusz- Tyler has potentially four quality ML offerings. Tyler's fastball sits at 90-92, and can touch 94 when he needs to muscle up, and he'll occasionally throw it with three varied grips. As good as his fastball is, it's the command of it, as well as the strong secondary pitches that have scouts excited. He has a nasty curve, more sweeping than one that drops straight down, and it normally comes in around the mid-70's. He also incorporates a solid slider and a change that shows real promise as a plus pitch that comes in currently about ten miles an hour slower than his fastball... just as it should be.

If Matzek continues his development, he easily could go as high as #2 overall. His ranking at #6 is very preliminary.

[PaulBako]

Ages (in parentheses) are as of the 2009 Draft...

#1 Stephen Strasburg, RHSP, San Diego State, (20), 6-5/220

#2 Grant Green, SS, USC, (21), 6-3/180

#3 Aaron Crow, RHSP, Fort Worth Cats, (22), 6-2/200

#4 Alex White, RHSP, UNC, (20), 6-3/195

#5 Dustin Ackley, 1B/CF, UNC, (21) 6-1/185

#6 Tyler Matzek, LHSP, H.S (CA), (18), 6-3/185

#7 Kyle Gibson, RHSP, Missouri

#8 Matthew Purke, LHSP, H.S. (TX)

#9 Donovan Tate, OF, H.S. (GA)

#10 Mike Minor, LHSP, Vanderbilt

This is 'Part 6' in a ten-part series, and below I'll preview #6 overall prospect, Tyler Matzek:

#6... Tyler Matzek, LHSP, H.S. (CA), (18), 6-3/185

Tyler Matzek is a polished hard-throwing lefty starter from Capistrano Valley HS in California, and one that is drawing comparisons to the first pitcher selected in last year's draft (by Baltimore at #4) -- Brian Matusz.

Arguably the top rated high school prospect for the 2009 draft, Matzek has tremendous poise and an easily-repeatable and almost effortless delivery. Much like the former San Diego Toreros ace -Matusz- Tyler has potentially four quality ML offerings. Tyler's fastball sits at 90-92, and can touch 94 when he needs to muscle up, and he'll occasionally throw it with three varied grips. As good as his fastball is, it's the command of it, as well as the strong secondary pitches that have scouts excited. He has a nasty curve, more sweeping than one that drops straight down, and it normally comes in around the mid-70's. He also incorporates a solid slider and a change that shows real promise as a plus pitch that comes in currently about ten miles an hour slower than his fastball... just as it should be.

If Matzek continues his development, he easily could go as high as #2 overall. His ranking at #6 is very preliminary.

I like this guy. I will be verry happy if the orioles take him with the 5th pick. This balllclub needs starting pitching. The more good pitchers the better. I will take him when available unless Greene is at #5.

[Greg Pappas]

I like this guy. I will be verry happy if the orioles take him with the 5th pick. This balllclub needs starting pitching. The more good pitchers the better. I will take him when available unless Greene is at #5.

It's very early yet... and we'll get a much better feel for how things will shake out come May. I am a bit cautious with HS arms, but Matzek has the traits of an outstanding starter. Matt Purke and he are generally considered the top two starters in the HS class, but that could change down the road a ways. Like you, I like Matzek a great deal.

[Stotle]

It's very early yet... and we'll get a much better feel for how things will shake out come May. I am a bit cautious with HS arms, but Matzek has the traits of an outstanding starter. Matt Purke and he are generally considered the top two starters in the HS class, but that could change down the road a ways. Like you, I like Matzek a great deal.

I like Matzek a lot, and he's probably my favorite HS pitcher (definitely over Purke). I thought he was unimpressive at the Under Armor All-American game, but a lot of pitchers were -- it was the end of the summer and there was some fatigue.

Still, guys like Graham, Turner and Krol were fine. Matzek's a great package right now -- we'll see how his Spring goes.

[nemO821]

I know your pretty high on Bundy, Stotle so I was wondering how you would compare Matzek to him?

[Stotle]

I know your pretty high on Bundy, Stotle so I was wondering how you would compare Matzek to him?

Matzek is a more refined package right now. Both have plus-fastballs, but I have Matzek ahead because of his plus-command and the fact that he's left-handed. Both have plus-curveballs. Matzek has a better changeup -- fringe-plus. His slider is also a solid-average pitch that could be above-average.

Matzek could have four above-average pitches and two plus-plus pitches when all is said and done. It's early, but he has the tool set to be a legit #1, whereas I see Bundy as more of a #2.

Also, I'm using pre-knee surgery Bundy as the comp. He's still working his velocity back up to where it was.

[nemO821]

Thanks for the info. I think matzek would be a good pick even though I'd rather have a good hitter than another pitcher. But we do have alot of pitchers in AA and High A that have alot of promise and from what the BA rankings showed, we lack really good pitching in the lower minors. Bringing in Matzek would improve that and go along nicely with Bundy and Drake.

[DennisTheOsFan]

So far, this seems like a pitcher's draft, at least at the top. Looks like we could see another top of the rotation pitcher on our growing list.

[Stotle]

So far, this seems like a pitcher's draft, at least at the top. Looks like we could see another top of the rotation pitcher on our growing list.

Could be. To be honest, I see a lot more potential mid-rotation guys, but there should be some #2s out there as well. I think the best part of this draft will be a number of projectable HSers that might be there in the later rounds for those willing to spend.

[laxtonto]

Im trying to see if i can work out my schedule to see Purke pitch some time this year... Ill give you what i got if i can make ti to any of his games.

[Stotle]

Im trying to see if i can work out my schedule to see Purke pitch some time this year... Ill give you what i got if i can make ti to any of his games.

That would be awesome. I can't speak for Greg, but I'd love some video from behind home plate (that's asking a lot, I know). I already have a good amount of film from the 1B side from the Under Armour game.

[Greg Pappas]

That would be awesome. I can't speak for Greg, but I'd love some video from behind home plate (that's asking a lot, I know). I already have a good amount of film from the 1B side from the Under Armour game.

Yeah, I'm going to say you speak for me on this one.

[Greg Pappas]

It was nice to see that BA is as high on Matzek as I am, projecting him to us at #5.

[jamesenoch]

It was nice to see that BA is as high on Matzek as I am, projecting him to us at #5.

I wonder, though, if the Orioles (Angelos) would choose a high school pitcher in the first round, after their experience with Loewen.

[orioles327]

Wouldn't it bad to have two very similar pitchers be your 1 and 2 in the rotation or 1 and 3. I would think the secound of the two pitchers is at a huge disadvantige, or could it just be you split them up and have them pitch two games apart. Just some food for thought.