Bryan Mata is creating excitement for the future
Photo Credit: Boston Red Sox prospect Bryan Mata throws in a sim game during a workout at JetBlue Park at Fenway South in Fort Myers, Florida Saturday, February 27, 2021. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox)
Over the last few weeks, the Red Sox have gotten a preview of the future. Prospects such as Matthew Lugo, Brandon Walter, Chris Murphy, and Cedanne Rafaela have excelled in spring training whenever they have been given an opportunity. They are not the only ones, as Bryan Mata has shown why scouts hold him in high regard.
Through two appearances, the Venezuelan native has struck out three batters and not allowed a hit. He has shown excellent control, as 12 of the 16 pitches he has thrown this spring have been strikes. While it has been a small sample size, Mata has displayed the dominating form he showed last season.
In 19 games, Mata posted a 2.49 ERA across four levels during the 2022 campaign. He struck out 105 batters and held opponents to a .201 batting average. Regardless of the level, Mata overmatched hitters and made it to Triple-A for the first time in his career. After battling injuries, he rewarded the Red Sox’s faith and dominated opposing lineups.
While the righthander is expected to begin the 2023 campaign in the minors, he won't stay there all season. Mata is one of the Red Sox's best pitching prospects, and his journey to the MLB has been slowed due to health. However, his talent is undeniable.
Additionally, the 23-year-old is projected to be a mid-rotation arm or late-inning reliever. Most of his work in the minors has come as a starter, but Mata did make one appearance out of the bullpen last year. Due to his four-pitch mix, Mata is not an ideal matchup for opponents. His fastball tops out at around 98 miles per hour, and his off-speed pitches are above average.
His skill set has created excitement for the future and has not gone unnoticed by Alex Cora. When the Red Sox manager was asked by the media about Mata’s outlook for the season in February, he said, “At one point, (Mata) is gonna be part of this, and he’s gonna help us to win a few games.”
As Opening Day approaches, Mata will get a few more opportunities to show what he can do. If he begins the season in Worcester, then he will be a closely watched member of the rotation just one call away from fulfilling his ultimate goal. The last few weeks have provided a reminder of just how good Mata really is.
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