| Matt Strahm | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Strahm with theSan Diego Padres in 2018 | |
| Philadelphia Phillies – No. 25 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1991-11-12)November 12, 1991 (age 34) West Fargo, North Dakota, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| July 31, 2016, for the Kansas City Royals | |
| MLB statistics (through 2025 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 34–38 |
| Earned run average | 3.36 |
| Strikeouts | 582 |
| Saves | 15 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Matthew Scott Strahm (/strɑːm/;[1] born November 12, 1991) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher for thePhiladelphia Phillies ofMajor League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for theKansas City Royals,San Diego Padres andBoston Red Sox. As of the2024 MLB season, Strahm is one of only two active MLB players born inNorth Dakota, with the other beingrelief pitcherErik Swanson, who last pitched with theToronto Blue Jays.[2]
Strahm attendedWest Fargo High School inWest Fargo,North Dakota. He played for the school's baseball team as apitcher, considering himself to be the third-best pitcher on his team. Attending a tryout at theUniversity of Kansas, Strahm caught the attention of a coach from thecollege baseball team ofNeosho County Community College.[3] In summer 2011, he played for theRochester Honkers of theNorthwoods League. In 2012, he pitched to a 9–3win–loss record and a 1.48earned run average (ERA), helping the Neosho County Panthers reach the 2012National Junior College Athletic AssociationWorld Series.[4] After two seasons with Neosho, Strahm committed to transfer to theUniversity of Nebraska–Lincoln.[3]
TheKansas City Royals selected Strahm in the 21st round, with the 643rd overall selection, of the2012 MLB draft.[5][6] He signed with the Royals, receiving a $100,000signing bonus,[7] rather than transfer to Nebraska. Strahm made his professional debut with theIdaho Falls Chukars of theRookie-levelPioneer League. Strahm requiredTommy John surgery during the 2013 season to repair damage to theulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow.[3] He missed most of the 2014 season, throwing only19+1⁄3 innings for Idaho Falls.[8] In 2015, Strahm pitched for theLexington Legends of theClass ASouth Atlantic League (SAL) andWilmington Blue Rocks of theClass A-AdvancedCarolina League.[3] He was named a SALAll-Star.[9] Between the two teams, Strahm recorded 121strikeouts in 94 innings pitched.[4] The Royals added him to their 40-man roster after the 2015 season to protect him from theRule 5 draft.[10][11] Strahm began the 2016 season with theNorthwest Arkansas Naturals of theClass AATexas League.[4] He had a 3.43 ERA and 107 strikeouts in102+1⁄3 innings pitched through the end of July.[12]
WhenWade Davis went on thedisabled list, the Royals promoted Strahm to the major leagues on July 31, 2016.[13] He made his MLB debut that day.[14] Though most of his minor league experience was as astarting pitcher, the Royals deployed Strahm as arelief pitcher for the remainder of the 2016 season in order to not increase the number of innings thrown from the 2015 season by too many.[8][15]
At the end of the 2016 season, the Royals indicated that Strahm would compete for a spot in theirstarting rotation during spring training in 2017.[16] However, after acquiringNate Karns,Travis Wood, andJason Hammel,Ned Yost, the Royals'manager, announced at the start of spring training that Strahm would be a reliever in 2017.[17] Strahm made 24 appearances, including three starts for the Royals in 2017 before being shut down for the season with a torn patellar tendon in his left knee.
Overall during parts of two seasons with the Royals, Strahm compiled a 4–7 record in 45 games (3 starts) with a 3.81 ERA while striking out 67 batters in56+2⁄3 innings.[18]
On July 24, 2017, the Royals traded Strahm,Travis Wood, andEsteury Ruiz to theSan Diego Padres forTrevor Cahill,Ryan Buchter, andBrandon Maurer.[19] In 2018, he posted an ERA of 2.05 in 41 games (5 starts). He had 69 strikeouts in61+1⁄3 innings. Strahm began the 2019 season as a starter, he started 16 games before being moved to the bullpen. Overall, Strahm finished with a record of 6-11 in 46 games, he struck out 118 in114+2⁄3 innings. The following season, Strahm pitched mainly out of the bullpen, appearing in 19 games in20+2⁄3 innings.
On April 17, 2021, Strahm was placed on the 60-dayinjured list as he continued to recover from patellar tendon surgery on his right knee that he underwent in October 2020.[20] On November 30, Strahm was non-tendered by the Padres, making him afree agent.[21]
Overall during parts of four seasons with the Padres, Strahm compiled a 9–17 record in 112 games (22 starts) with a 3.81 ERA while striking out 206 batters in203+1⁄3 innings.[18]
On March 15, 2022, Strahm signed a one-year contract with theBoston Red Sox.[22] He began the season as a member of Boston's bullpen. Strahm was placed on the COVID-related list on May 30,[23] and reactivated on June 1.[24] He was placed on the injured list on July 15, due to a left wrist contusion suffered in a game against theTampa Bay Rays on July 12.[25][26] He rejoined the team on August 19.[27] In 50 relief appearances with Boston during 2022, Strahm posted a 4–4 record with foursaves and a 3.83 ERA while striking out 52 batters in44+2⁄3 innings.[18]
In early November 2022, Strahm elected to become a free agent.[28]
On December 9, 2022, Strahm signed a two-year contract worth $15 million with thePhiladelphia Phillies.[29]On May 6, 2023, Strahm was ejected from a game and fined for not leaving the field after the conclusion of thenational anthem despite an umpire's warning.Boston Red Sox pitcherKutter Crawford was also ejected. Both Strahm and Crawford were taking part in an "anthem standoff" where players compete to leave the field last. The ejection and subsequent fine was largely due to the introduction of thepitch clock, intended to speed up the game and prevent unnecessary delays. After the game, Strahm told reporters that the standoff was "embarrassing" and "...probably not the wisest decision I’ve made in my big-league career."[30][31] In 56 games for the Phillies in 2023, he went 9–5 with a 3.29 ERA and 108 strikeouts across87+2⁄3 innings pitched.
On March 24, 2024, Strahm and the Phillies agreed to a one–year contract extension that includes a vesting option for the 2026 season.[32]
Strahm grew up aMinnesota Twins fan.[33] He and his wife, Megan, who also attended Neosho County Community College, were married inChanute, Kansas, in September 2015.[7][34] His brother, Ben, played college baseball atCowley Community College and was signed by theSan Francisco Giants in 2018. He also has a sister, Britta.[8] Strahm has his ownYouTube channel, depicting his baseball life and featuring him opening packs ofbaseball cards.[35]
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