#22 RHSP Luis Mateo (LR: #9)
Bats: R Throws: R
Height: 6' 3" Weight: 185 lb
Age: 24
Acquired: 2011 International Signing, Dominican Republic
2013: (A+/AA) 1-2, 6.17 ERA, 10.0 K/9, 4.6 BB/9, 1.886 WHIP
2012: (SS-A) 4-5, 2.45 ERA, 10.4 K/9, 1.1 BB/9, 0.900 WHIP
2011: (DSL) 6-1, 2.00 ERA, 11.4 K/9, 0.7 BB/9, 0.778 WHIP
Mateo represents the largest drop in our rankings this season. 2013 was suppose to be his banner year where he separates himself from the group of original 2012 Brooklyn Cyclone starters and reaches AA Binghamton. Well, turns out he did reach Binghamton but something was just not right. After making one stellar start for the (A+) At. Lucie Mets, Mateo was called up to AA for a spot start but left after only 3 innings due to forearm pain. After he rested it for about a month, Mateo returned to Port St. Lucie and made 2 relief appearances to ease himself back in but his velocity was reportedly severely down to the low 80's sometimes reaching as low as 79. A few days later he went under to knife for Tommy John surgery.
Mateo likely will not be returning to baseball in 2014 but if he does AND returns 100% healthy, the tools still remain the same. A nice moving fastball that sits between 92-94, and can reach as high as 96, coupled with a hard high 80's slider that has the potential to be a plus MLB caliber pitch. His change-up is still lagging behind his slider and if he cannot improve it will relegate him to future bullpen duty.
Anticipated Assignment: Tommy John Surgery Rehab
Ceiling: #3/#4 MLB Starter
Floor: Out of Baseball if he cannot re-gain his velocity post rehab.
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