Michael Matuella's Player Profile

The top college hurler in the draft, Matuella came on strong last spring, sitting in the mid 90s with his fastball and flashing a plus to plus-plus breaking ball. Scouts’ interests were piqued and they were looking forward to watching him pitch in the Cape Cod League, but he was diagnosed with spondylolysis, a manageable back condition.

Mike needed a healthy spring in order to establish that his health wasn’t a concern. Unfortunately, he was scratched from an early start with a forearm strain and, what usually seems to be the inevitable follow-up, has undergone Tommy John surgery.

Elbow surgery isn’t necessarily going to cost Matuella a spot in the first round. Last year, both Jeff Hoffman and Erick Fedde were drafted in the first round after needing Tommy John surgery. It may make more sense for the Duke righty to sign and rehab with a pro team, but how much money he’d be willing to leave on the table makes him a big question mark in this draft class.
Profile by Jared Massey

Michael Matuella Videos

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Michael Matuella, RHP, Duke - 2015 Draft

Michael Matuella, RHP, Duke - 2015 Draft

Michael Matuella — Duke University

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