Frank Mata
From BR Bullpen
Frank Jesus Mata
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 1", Weight 235 lb.
- Born March 11, 1984 in Barcelona, Anzoategui Venezuela
[edit] Biographical Information
Frank Mata debuted in the majors in 2010.
Mata was signed by scout Jose Leon for the Minnesota Twins in May 2002. Pitching for Cagua that year, he was 3-1 with a 3.38 ERA while leading the Venezuelan Summer League with 22 appearances. He allowed only 24 hits in 40 innings, including no home runs.
In 2003, he went 5-2 with 7 saves and a 3.47 ERA for Tronconero 1, with 51 strikeouts in 36 1/3 innings. He was second in the VSL with 26 games pitched. Coming stateside with the 2004 Elizabethton Twins, he was 2-2 with 13 saves and a 3.73 ERA in 26 games, fanning 39 in 31 1/3 innings while having a WHIP under 1. He led the Appalachian League in games pitched and tied Enyelbert Soto for the save lead. Baseball America rated him the Appy's #15 prospect. He missed all of 2005, though, after Tommy John surgery.
Returning to the diamond in 2006, Frank was 5-3 with five saves and a 4.22 ERA for the Beloit Snappers, with 10 wild pitches in 53 1/3 innings. Mata was excellent with the 2007 Fort Myers Miracle (2-0, Sv, 1.33 in 13 G), earning a promotion to the New Britain Rock Cats, where he struggled (0-4, 3 Sv, 5.36 in 32 G).
In 2008, the Venezuelan right-hander again started off with Fort Myers and again did well (1-0, 1.93 in 11 G) before bombing with New Britain (1-1, Sv, 7.20 in 23 G). He spent all of 2009 with New Britain, solving AA finally, with a 2-5 record, 3 saves and a 3.78 ERA in 53 outings. He was 2-1 with a 3.44 ERA that winter for the Tigres de Aragua.
The Baltimore Orioles signed Mata as a minor league free agent prior to the 2010 campaign. He began the year excellently with the Norfolk Tides (2-1, 8 Sv, 1.86, 14 H in 19 1/3 innings), earning a promotion to the big leagues when Koji Uehara and Alfredo Simon landed on the DL.
In his MLB debut, Mata relieved Brian Matusz in the 6th inning with two on, none out and a 6-1 deficit against the A's. He got Jake Fox on a fly, then Mark Ellis flew into a double play to escape the jam. In the 7th, he retired Cliff Pennington. Rajai Davis singled and stole second, then Daric Barton walked. Mata was replaced on the mound by Matt Albers.
Primary Source: 2010 Orioles Media Guide
