Matt Capps

From BR Bullpen

Matthew Dicus Capps

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 6' 3", Weight 238 lb.

High School Alexander High School
Debut September 16, 2005
Born September 3, 1983 in Douglasville, GA USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Matt Capps, who has pitched two seasons in the big leagues through 2006, went 9-1 in 2006 on a team that lost 95 games.

Control specialist Capps was taken by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 7th round of the 2002 amateur draft. He opted to pitch for the club instead of going to Louisiana State University. He debuted with the GCL Pirates, saving one game and winning one in 7 appearances, posting a 0.69 ERA and an uncharasteristic six walks in 13 innings. In 2003, Matt allowed three runs in five innings, walking four with the Lynchburg Hillcats and had a 5-1 record with a 1.87 ERA in 10 starts for the GCL Pirates. He struck out 54, allowed 40 hits and walked nine in 63 innings. He was named the top starting pitcher in the Gulf Coast League and finished fourth in ERA. He led the league in innings pitched. In 2004, Matt struggled with the Hickory Crawdads (2-3, 10.07, a .402 opposing average) and was 3-5, 4.85 for the Williamsport Crosscutters, walking 4 in 65 innings).

At age 21, Capps put it all together in 2005. He was 3-4 with 14 saves and a 2.52 for Hickory, went 0-2 with 7 saves and a 2.70 ERA for the Altoona Curve and capped it all with a September stop in Pittsburgh in four games. He walked only 6 batters in 73 2/3 innings, striking out 65. Capps made the 2006 Pirates out of Spring Training, bypassing AAA and went 9-1 with a 3.79 ERA and only 12 walks in 80 2/3 innings (five of those walks were intentional). His 84 appearances fell one shy of the major league rookie record held by Oscar Villarreal and shattered Rich Loiselle's club rookie record.

Capps was suspended for four games in May of 2007 for hitting Prince Fielder on an 0-1 pitch following a homer by J.J. Hardy. Capps appealed, saying it was not intentional. The suspension would not be ruled on until late June, when it was reduced by one game. Capps became the Pirates' closer in June of 2007, after Salomon Torres had blown 4 of his first 16 save opportunities.

Primary Sources: 2003-2006 Baseball Almanacs, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette