Matt Chico
From BR Bullpen
Matthew Bryan Chico
- Bats Left, Throws Left
- Height 5' 11", Weight 190 lbs.
- School Palomar College, University of Southern California
- High School Fallbrook High School
- Debut April 4, 2007
- Born June 10, 1983 in Fullerton, CA USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Pitcher Matt Chico was signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks and scout Mark Baca as the 3rd round pick in the 2003 amateur draft.
Chico made the start in his major league debut on April 4, 2007 for the Washington Nationals against the Florida Marlins. He gave up 6 runs in 4 innings of work but was spared the loss when his team rallied to win. He had been 12-6, 2.88 in the minors in 2006 to leap up to the top of the Nats' list of mound prospects. He was only 7-9 as a rookie, but with a decent 4.63 ERA, and led his team with 167 innings pitched in 31 starts; the next busiest pitcher on the staff was Mike Bacsik, with 118 innings pitched. However, despite that promising start to his career, he regressed in 2008, putting up a record of 0-6 and a 6.19 ERA in 11 games before being shut down by an elbow injury which required Tommy John surgery.
Chico was back in the minor leagues in 2009, making 15 starts between the Class A Hagerstown Suns and AA Harrisburg Senators, with a record of 2-4, 3.96. In 2010, he was 7-9, 3.62 in 26 starts between Harrisburg and the AAA Syracuse Chiefs. He also made it back to the majors for one start, when he pitched 5 innings, giving up 2 runs and getting a no-decision. He was designated for assignment after the season but stayed in the Nationals' organization. Injuries struck again, as he was limited to 18 ineffective relief appearances between Harrisburg and Syracuse, as well as a 9-game stint with the GCL Nationals on a rehabilitation assignment. He was 3-4, 5.87 between the three stops and became a free agent after the season, signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
