Matt Waldron

Last updated
100+1⁄3 innings. [5]

Cleveland Indians

Following the season's end, he was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 18th round of the 2019 Major League Baseball draft. [6] [7]

Waldron signed with the Indians and made his professional debut with the rookie–level Arizona League Indians before he was promoted to the Low–A Mahoning Valley Scrappers. Over 45+2⁄3 innings between the two teams, he went 4–0 with a 2.96 ERA. [8] He did not play a minor league game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. [9]

San Diego Padres

On August 31, 2020, the Indians traded Waldron, Mike Clevinger, and Greg Allen to the San Diego Padres in exchange for Austin Hedges, Josh Naylor, Cal Quantrill, Gabriel Arias, Owen Miller, and Joey Cantillo. [10] Prior to the 2021 season, Waldron began throwing knuckleballs. [11] He opened the 2021 season with the High–A Fort Wayne TinCaps and was promoted to the Double–A San Antonio Missions in July. [12] He finished the season starting twenty games going 3–8 with a 4.25 ERA and 103 strikeouts over 103+2⁄3 innings. [13]

Waldron returned to San Antonio to begin 2022 and was promoted to the Triple–A El Paso Chihuahuas in late June. [14] Over 25 starts between the two teams, he went 5–10 with a 6.26 ERA and 96 strikeouts over 113+2⁄3 innings. [15] To open the 2023 season, he was assigned to El Paso. [16] In 14 games (12 starts), Waldron struggled to a 1–6 record and 7.02 ERA with 75 strikeouts in 66+2⁄3 innings pitched. [17]

On June 23, 2023, the Padres announced they would be promoting Waldron to make his major league debut the next day as the team's starting pitcher. [18] He made his debut at Petco Park against the Washington Nationals. Waldron pitched 4+2⁄3 innings, allowing four hits and two runs (both earned), while striking out two Nationals batters in a 2–0 loss. He was the first pitcher to throw a knuckleball in a major league game since Baltimore Orioles’ pitcher Mickey Jannis in June 2021. [18] He was optioned back to El Paso the next day. [19]

Waldron was recalled to the majors several times throughout the remainder of the 2023 season, making eight appearances (six starts) going 1–3 with a 4.35 ERA and 31 strikeouts over 41+1⁄3 innings. [20]

Pitching style

Unlike other recent knuckleball pitchers like R. A. Dickey and Tim Wakefield—both of whom relied heavily on throwing knuckleballs—Waldron's primary pitch is a four-seam fastball. His Off-speed pitches are a slider and a knuckleball. [11]

Personal life

Waldron's twin brother, Mike, also played on the Nebraska baseball team. [21]

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References

  1. ↑ "Matt Waldron". Lincoln Journal Star. 2015-06-02.
  2. ↑ "Waldrons saw plenty of W's".
  3. ↑ Hambleton, Ryly Jane (2015-05-21). "State baseball: Matt Waldron's no-hitter lifts Westside to Class A title". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  4. ↑ Nyatawa, Jon (2016-06-02). "Ex-Westside baseball stars Matt Waldron, Jake Meyers helping each other as Huskers". Omaha World Herald. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  5. ↑ Ward, Andrew (2019-06-05). "Matt Waldron selected by Indians in 18th round". Channel 8 News. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  6. ↑ Bland, Evan (2019-06-05). "'I'm ready for this next chapter': Matt Waldron becomes first Husker selected in 2019 MLB draft". Star Herald. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  7. ↑ Grell, Clark (2019-10-29). "Matt Waldron selected in the MLB Draft". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  8. ↑ "2020 Diamonds in the Rough: RHP Matt Waldron". May 26, 2020.
  9. ↑ Adler, David (2020-06-30). "2020 Minor League Baseball season canceled". MLB.com . Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  10. ↑ Hoynes, Paul (2020-08-31). "Cleveland Indians trade Mike Clevinger, Greg Allen and player to be named to San Diego for six players". Cleveland.com. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  11. 1 2 Cassavell, AJ (2023-06-25). "Knuckleball returns to Majors with Waldron's solid debut". MLB.com. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  12. ↑ Sanders, Jeff (2021-07-20). "Minors: Nola homers as catcher for el Paso; knuckleballer promoted to Double-A". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  13. ↑ Sanders, Jeff (2022-02-18). "Minors: Right-handed starters to watch in the Padres' farm system". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  14. ↑ Sanders, Jeff (2022-06-01). "Minors: Vela ends slump with TinCaps; Waldron deals for Missions". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  15. ↑ "Matt Waldron Stats, Fantasy & News". MiLB.
  16. ↑ Sanders, Jeff (2023-04-23). "Minors: Marcos Castañon powers TinCaps; Matt Waldron twirls a gem in El Paso loss". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  17. ↑ "Padres' Matt Waldron: Officially promoted for spot start". CBS Sports. 2023-06-24. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  18. 1 2 Cassavell, AJ (2023-06-23). "Knuckleballer to make MLB debut vs. Nats". MLB.com. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  19. ↑ Sanchez, Noel (2023-06-25). "Padres News: Matt Waldron Immediately Optioned to Minors After Stellar Debut". Sports Illustrated Inside The Padres News, Analysis and More. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  20. ↑ "Matt Waldron Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  21. ↑ Gebhart, Nick (2015-11-23). "Transitioning into college baseball, twin brothers prepare for the next level". The Daily Nebraskan. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
Matt Waldron
San Diego Padres – No. 61
Pitcher
Born: (1996-09-26) September 26, 1996 (age 27)
Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
June 24, 2023, for the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres current roster
Active roster
Inactive roster
Injured list
Coaching staff
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