University of Minnesota Athletics
Scott Matyas Signs With Detroit Tigers
6/17/2011 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
University of Minnesota senior closer Scott Matyas has signed a Minor League contract with the Detroit Tigers, becoming the fourth Gophers draft pick to begin his professional baseball career.
A native of North Prairie, Wis. (Kettle Morraine HS), Matyas was drafted by the Tigers with the 16th pick in the 27th round (827th overall) of the Major League Baseball Draft on June 7.
Minnesota's closer for the past three seasons and a mainstay in the Gophers' bullpen since 2008, Matyas ended his collegiate career as the Big Ten's all-time saves leader with 36, as well as having made the most career appearances (94) in Minnesota's rich baseball history.
This season, Matyas was named First Team All-Big Ten after he led the Gophers with 11 saves and 26 appearances, posting a record of 1-1 with a 1.60 earned run average. Matyas allowed just 20 hits and nine runs (six earned) in 33.2 innings pitched, striking out 42 while walking just seven and holding opposing batters to a .167 average.
As a junior, Matyas earned Third Team All-Big Ten honors and was named to the All-Big Ten Tournament team after appeared in a team-high 27 games. He was 5-1 with a 2.19 ERA, 60 strikeouts, and eight saves in 37.0 innings pitched.
Matyas was named Second Team All-Big Ten as a sophomore, breaking the single-season school records for overall saves (15) and conference saves (10). He went 0-1 with a 2.22 ERA, 15 saves in 23 appearances, and had 45 strikeouts in 28.1 innings pitched. He also had a ratio of 14.30 strikeouts per nine innings and limited opponents to a .202 batting average
During his freshman season, Matyas finished 3-4 with two saves, a 4.45 ERA. He struck out 33 batters and walked just 11 in 32.1 innings of work, making 18 appearances out of the bullpen for Minnesota.
Matyas was previously drafted by the New York Yankees (29th Round) in 2009, and by the Milwaukee Brewers (40th Round) last season, but decided to return to school each time.
Matyas' signing with the Tigers follows three other Gopher players who have signed Minor League deals, as AJ Pettersen (Minnesota Twins), Justin Gominsky (Houston Astros), and Nick O'Shea (Cincinnati Reds) each signed within a week of being drafted.
