Tyler Matzek Bio
Tyler Alexander Matzek (born October 19, 1990) is an American professional baseball pitcher. A left-hander known for his high strikeout totals during his development, Matzek has pitched in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Colorado Rockies, Atlanta Braves, and New York Yankees. He is currently a free agent. He was a member of the 2021 World Series champion Atlanta Braves.
After a difficult stretch away from the major leagues, Matzek re-emerged as one of the most reliable relievers in the National League during Atlanta’s run to a title. His journey back to the majors, highlighted by work with former Navy SEAL Jason Kuhn, has made him a respected figure among teammates and coaches.
Early Life and Background
Matzek played high school baseball at Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo, California. There, he was a teammate of future major league pitcher Kyle Hendricks. During his senior year, he struck out 102 batters in 86⅔ innings while posting a 0.97 earned run average (ERA). He led his team to the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) championship and was named the CIF Orange County Player of the Year.
His dominant senior season quickly made him one of the most sought-after amateur pitchers in the country. Matzek grew up in a baseball-focused family and developed a strong competitive foundation in Southern California before reaching the professional ranks.
Path to Major League Baseball
The Colorado Rockies selected Matzek in the first round, 11th overall, of the 2009 MLB draft. He agreed to a $3.9 million signing bonus on August 17, 2009, and did not pitch professionally that year. Before the 2010 season, Baseball America ranked him as the 23rd-best prospect in baseball.
He spent the next several seasons moving through the Rockies’ minor league system. In 2010, he pitched for the Single-A Asheville Tourists, going 5-1 with a 2.92 ERA and 88 strikeouts in 89⅓ innings, though he struggled with command. By 2013, he was pitching for the Double-A Tulsa Drillers, where he was a mid-season Texas League All-Star. Following that season, Matzek was added to the Rockies’ 40-man roster on November 20, 2013.
Tyler Matzek Career
Early Career (2009–2013)
Matzek opened his professional career in the Rockies organization after the 2009 draft. He advanced through Single-A Asheville and High-A Modesto, posting strong strikeout numbers but battling control issues. He walked 62 batters during his first professional season and continued to issue free passes at higher levels.
Despite the command struggles, his raw talent kept him among baseball’s top prospects. Baseball America ranked him 32nd before 2011. He earned mid-season All-Star recognition in both the California League in 2012 and the Texas League in 2013, finishing the latter year with a 3.79 ERA across 142⅓ innings for Tulsa.
Colorado Rockies Era (2014–2015)
Matzek made his MLB debut on June 11, 2014, against the Atlanta Braves. He gave up two runs on five hits with seven strikeouts and no walks across seven innings, earning the win in an 8-2 victory. He also recorded his first major league hit, an infield single off Julio Teherán, and later scored. On September 5, 2014, he threw his first career complete-game shutout against the San Diego Padres, allowing just three hits in a 3-0 win.
He finished 2014 with a 6-11 record across 19 starts. In 2015, persistent control problems led to a demotion to Triple-A, where he spent the rest of the year. He began 2016 on the disabled list, pitched only in the minors, and was removed from the 40-man roster on June 26, 2016, after clearing outright waivers. He elected free agency on November 7, 2016.
Independent Baseball and Comeback (2017–2019)
After brief minor league deals with the Chicago White Sox and Seattle Mariners in early 2017 and 2018, Matzek spent 2018 and 2019 pitching for the Texas AirHogs of the independent American Association. In 2018, he struck out 93 batters in 88⅔ innings but also walked 66. He returned to affiliated baseball on January 15, 2019, signing a minor league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks following a showcase at Driveline Baseball, before finishing 2019 with another stint in the American Association.
During this stretch, Matzek worked extensively with Jason Kuhn, a former collegiate baseball player and Navy SEAL who was introduced to him by former big leaguer Michael McKenry. The training helped him regain mechanics and confidence after years of inconsistency.
Atlanta Braves Era (2019–2024)
On August 14, 2019, the Atlanta Braves purchased Matzek’s contract. After a brief stop in the minors, he returned to the major leagues in 2020, posting a 4-3 record with a 2.79 ERA across 21 relief appearances covering 29 innings. He struck out 43 batters in that shortened season. In 2021, he appeared in 69 games out of the bullpen, going 0-4 with a 2.57 ERA while striking out 77 batters in 63 innings.
Matzek played a key role in Atlanta’s postseason run. In Game 6 of the 2021 National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, he entered with runners on second and third and no outs, then struck out the side to preserve the lead and earn the win, clinching Atlanta’s first pennant since 1999. He also pitched in relief during Game 6 of the 2021 World Series, which the Braves won. He began 2022 strong before shoulder inflammation in May led to an injured-list stint, and he later underwent Tommy John surgery in October, sidelining him through 2023. He returned briefly in 2024 before being traded to the San Francisco Giants in July. After a short Triple-A rehab assignment with Sacramento, he was released on August 30, 2024. He then signed a minor league deal to return to the Braves organization on August 31, 2024, and elected free agency after the season.
New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals (2025)
On February 10, 2025, Matzek signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees. He began the season with the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders before the Yankees selected his contract on April 22. In seven appearances for New York, he posted a 4.26 ERA with seven strikeouts over 6⅓ innings. He was designated for assignment on May 16 and elected free agency on May 19.
On June 3, 2025, Matzek signed a minor league deal with the St. Louis Cardinals. He was released on June 15 and re-signed on June 19. He did not appear in a game for the organization and elected free agency on November 6, 2025.
Notable Events and Milestones
Matzek’s standout moment came during the 2021 NLCS, when he escaped a bases-loaded jam to clinch Atlanta’s pennant. He is also a 2021 World Series champion and recorded his first career save on August 9, 2022, with a scoreless 11th inning against the Boston Red Sox.
Tyler Matzek Career Wins
Matzek has accumulated wins across both starting and relief roles at the major league level. His most notable victories include his 2014 major league debut against the Atlanta Braves and his Game 6 NLCS win against the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2021. He also earned a complete-game shutout against the San Diego Padres in September 2014.
MLB Highlights
Matzek’s major league career includes a complete-game shutout in 2014 and a high-leverage postseason win in 2021. His role as a left-handed reliever during Atlanta’s championship run cemented his reputation as a dependable arm in big moments.
Minor League Achievements
During his development, Matzek earned mid-season All-Star honors in both the California League (2012) and the Texas League (2013). He also represented the Salt River Rafters in the Arizona Fall League’s Fall Stars Game after the 2013 season.
Tyler Matzek Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Matzek is married to Lauren, whom he met in high school. She underwent cancer treatment in 2017 while encouraging him to continue his professional career despite the on-field struggles he faced during that period. His younger brother, Kyle Matzek, was his catching partner during portions of his development.
Outside of baseball, Matzek has spoken about the importance of the mental side of the game and the role that Kuhn’s training played in his comeback to the major leagues.
2025 Season Performance
Matzek’s 2025 campaign began with a minor league deal in the Yankees organization before a brief major league stint in April and May. He logged a 4.26 ERA across seven relief appearances before being designated for assignment and electing free agency.
He quickly found a new opportunity with the St. Louis Cardinals in June, signing a minor league contract. He was released and re-signed within the same month but did not pitch at the major league level for St. Louis. Following the season, he elected free agency on November 6, 2025.
Now a free agent, Matzek is expected to draw interest from clubs seeking experienced left-handed relief depth heading into the next league year.