Meet Steven Matz

Check out the March 2010 update of Steven Matz

I am jealous! Believe it or not, it’s not because the Mets signed Steve Matz as their #1 pick in this year’s amateur draft. No. Granted, 25 years ago I had really wanted to be starting catcher for the Mets. Unfortunately, my ability wasn’t as good as my heart and head. But that’s not why I’m jealous.

Matz who attended Ward Melville High School on Long Island, was a mere 5’ 7” and about 140 lbs. This past year, he sprouted to 6’ 4” and about 195 lbs. Said the 18 year old, “My body just started getting bigger and everything. That’s when I had my growth spurt. My velocity jumped a little bit.” That and being a lefty sure makes the scouts drool. Here is where my envy begins. Why didn’t I ever get that kind of growth spurt? I stopped growing between the eighth and ninth grade…a statuesque 5’ 6”. Not the size professional catchers are made of.

Matz received a signing bonus of $895,000 – about $500,000 more than the recommended signing bonus. The Mets aren’t usually the team to go against the League, but this time they did.

With Matz’ growth spurt, he also found an increase in velocity. His fastball jumped from the “upper 80’s” to about 94 MPH. He credits using a personal trainer. He has also been working with former Major League pitcher Neal Heaton on developing a slider. Matz said, “Late in the winter we were slowly developing a slider. I’m still getting used to it a little bit, so I mostly stick with the fastball-curveball-changeup.”

Matz will most likely not get the opportunity to pitch with the Gulf Coast League, where he will report on Friday. Their season ends in a few weeks. After that, he will report to the Instructional League in Port St. Lucie.

When asked about being drafted by the Mets, Matz offered, “When I heard I was drafted by the Mets, I was just thrilled, because I knew they had a lot of interest in me. I met them early in December. I met Rudy. I’ve been a Met fan since I’ve been young. My grandparents are huge Mets fans.”

Source: Adam Rubin - Surfing The Mets

Check out the March 2010 update of Steve Matz