Former First-Round Pick Tyler Matzek Trying to Complete Remarkable Comeback From the Yips in Braves Bullpen
By Scott Rogust
The Atlanta Braves have one of the deeper rosters in Major League Baseball, which equates to high expectations heading into the 2020 season. However, there's been one story that's dominated Braves Spring Training that no one saw coming.
That is the attempted comeback of former 2009 first-round pick Tyler Matzek, who is attempting to earn a spot in Atlanta's bullpen after a career-long battle with the yips.
Former first round pick Tyler Matzek was an AirHog last summer and he wasn't even a non-roster invitee this year. But the lefty, who was once undone by the yips, is fashioning a feel-good story as he bids for a spot in the Braves' bullpen https://t.co/U5fHksRKnE
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) March 8, 2020
Matzek hasn't pitched in the majors since 2015 when he was with the Colorado Rockies, the team that drafted him. After a quality rookie season in 2014, Matzek was doomed with performance anxiety, resulting in him being sent down to the minors. He never returned to the big leagues.
He most recently pitched with the Texas Air Hogs, an independent baseball team, and tried out for the Arizona Diamondbacks last spring. Yet he received a call from Braves bench coach Walt Weiss this offseason, who managed Matzek back in 2014 in Colorado, to give it one more go.
In the latest from @indychatter, #Braves LHP Tyler Matzek (@TXAirHogs '18-'19) has been getting attention in big-league spring training camp. https://t.co/vortIDaJH2 pic.twitter.com/LXeIjgAMA6
— American Association (@AA_Baseball) March 8, 2020
Matzek wasn't a spring training non-roster invite, but he made the most of his opportunity. In three games, the left-handed pitcher has a perfect 0.00 ERA, striking out seven batters and allowing just one hit in 3.2 innings of work. Oh, and Matzek didn't walk a single batter, either.
Whether he earns a roster spot or not, Matzek is a true source of inspiration, and should remind each and every one of you to never give up on your dreams, no matter how difficult things become.