Red Sox pitching prospect Bryan Mata is focused on 'working day-by-day to take advantage of every opportunity'
For the first time in a long time, the Red Sox have pitching prospects to be excited about. Bryan Mata is one prospect fans should get familiar with as he makes his return from UCL surgery.
Mata underwent Tommy John surgery on April 13, 2021 and since returning to the minors, he’s looked impressive.
At the beginning of June, Mata was throwing his fastball at 100 mph in Florida. That caught the eye of Sox manager Alex Cora. “He was throwing 100 (mph) in Florida so it’s impressive,” said Cora to MassLive.
Mata has pitched in six games making five starts this season. The 6-foot-3 right-hander has looked great posting a 2.45 ERA, 25 strikeouts, 1.09 WHIP in 18 1/3 innings.
As Mata continues making his comeback to professional baseball, he credits his mother for having his back and supporting him.
“I think my greatest inspiration will always be my mother, since thanks to her I am here right now, thanks for instilling values in me and making me a good person,” said Mata.
The young hurler struggled with the news that he was going to miss substantial time due to surgery, but his mother helped him through the process.
“The truth was difficult, you know, but thank God my mother was with me during the first 3 months, which were the hardest, Mata said exclusively to Beyond the Monster. “I then adjusted to the process, and said “one has to go through this process day by day.”
The 23-year-old feels great as he is making his comeback and is looking to build upon each day.
“If I'm honest, I feel great, so much so that sometimes I forget that happened to me (Mata laughed), but thank God I feel great and trying to improve every day.”
As he continues to improve each day, he has his eyes set on being 100% healthy and that will allow him to take advantage of every opportunity the Red Sox give him.
“My expectations are to be 100% healthy, without any kind of injury or discomfort that prevents me from pitching.
I would like to, but right now I am focused on working day by day to take advantage of every opportunity that the manager and the organization offer me.”
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