| Matt Wisler | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Wisler pitching in theFort Bragg Game in 2016 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1992-09-12)September 12, 1992 (age 33) Bryan, Ohio, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 19, 2015, for the Atlanta Braves | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 4, 2022, for the Tampa Bay Rays | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 25–36 |
| Earned run average | 4.59 |
| Strikeouts | 436 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Matthew Robert Wisler (born September 12, 1992) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher. He was drafted by theSan Diego Padres out of high school in the seventh round of the2011 Major League Baseball draft. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theAtlanta Braves,Cincinnati Reds,San Diego Padres,Seattle Mariners,Minnesota Twins,San Francisco Giants, andTampa Bay Rays.
Wisler was born inBryan, Ohio, and is one of three children of Bob and Sue Wisler.[1][2]
He attendedBryan High School in his hometown.[3] In his senior season, Wisler pitched to a 6–1 record, recording a 0.17ERA and striking out 71 hitters over 42innings, while allowing 13 hits and seven walks.[4] He signed a nationalletter of intent to play college baseball with theOhio State Buckeyes, but chose to sign with the Padres.[5][6]
Wisler was drafted by theSan Diego Padres in the seventh round of the2011 Major League Baseball draft.[3]
In 2012, pitching for theFort Wayne TinCaps, Wisler went 5–4 with a 2.53earned run average and 113strikeouts in 114innings pitched. He started 2013 with High-ALake Elsinore, going 2–1 with a 2.03 ERA with 28 strikeouts in 31 innings. He was promoted to the Double-ASan Antonio Missions on May 6, 2013.[7]
The Padres invited Wisler to spring training in 2014, but he did not make the team.[8] Wisler split the 2014 season between the Double A and Triple A levels, recording a 4.42 ERA, and 10–5 record, along with 136 strikeouts over146+2⁄3 innings pitched with the Missions andEl Paso Chihuahuas (giving up 21 home runs in 146.2 innings).[9] In 2015, Wisler was again invited to spring training.
On April 5, 2015, he was traded to theAtlanta Braves, along withCarlos Quentin,Cameron Maybin, Jordan Paroubeck, and the 41st overall draft pick, in exchange forCraig Kimbrel andMelvin Upton, Jr.[10] He was then sent to Triple-AGwinnett. On June 19, Wisler was called up to the major leagues, and that night he made his major league debut as the starting pitcher against theNew York Mets.[11] He pitched eight innings to pick up the win, the first time a Braves pitcher had accomplished that in his debut sinceJohn Smoltz's debut performance.[12] Wisler recorded a 9.49 ERA from August 1 to September 3, and was demoted to the bullpen. Fellow rookie pitchersManny Banuelos andMike Foltynewicz suffered injuries later that month, and Wisler was reinserted into the starting rotation.[13] He started another five games to finish the season, and compiled a 2.33 ERA during that period. In Wisler's final start of the year, he pitched8+2⁄3 innings of a 2–0 win against theSt. Louis Cardinals.[14] In 2015, he was 8–8 with a 4.71 ERA in 20 games (19 starts).[15]
Wisler began the 2016 season third in the Braves starting rotation,[16] making his season debut on April 8 against the Cardinals.[17] On April 17, Wisler recorded his first major league save, helping the Braves secure a sweep of theMiami Marlins.[18] He pitched effectively as a starter until May, recording a 3.16 ERA in ten starts.[19] In his following ten starts, Wisler pitched to a 7.71 ERA and allowed 16home runs. Hisbatting average against also rose, and as a result, the Braves demoted Wisler to Gwinnett on July 28.[20] The team announced on August 24 that Wisler would be recalled the next day to start against the Marlins.[21] He pitched well against theArizona Diamondbacks andSan Diego Padres, and left the latter start with a strained oblique. In 2016, at Triple-A Gwinnett he was 2–1 with a 3.71 ERA, and in the major leagues he was 7–13 in 27 games (26 starts) with a 5.00 ERA (giving up 26 home runs in 156.2 innings).[15][22] In the offseason, Wisler pitched two games in theDominican Winter League forTigres del Licey.[23]
Wisler was called up for the first time during the 2017 season on April 23.[24] In 2017, he was 0–1 with an ERA of 8.35.[22] He appeared in 7 games for the team in 2018, logging a 1–1 record and 5.40 ERA.
On July 30, 2018, the Braves traded Wisler,Lucas Sims, andPreston Tucker to theCincinnati Reds in exchange forAdam Duvall.[25][26] In 11 appearances for Cincinnati, he posted a 2.03 ERA. He was designated for assignment on March 28, 2019, afterDerek Dietrich andJosé Iglesias had their contracts selected.[27]
On April 1, 2019, the Reds traded Wisler to the Padres for Diomar López.[28] Wisler was designated for assignment on June 29. In 21 relief appearances for the Padres, Wisler was 2–2 with an ERA of 5.28 in 29 innings.[29]
On July 4, 2019, Wisler was traded to theSeattle Mariners in exchange for cash considerations.[30] In 23 games (8 starts) he was 1–2 with a 6.04 ERA, and 6 walks and 29 strikeouts in 22.1 innings.[29]
On October 29, 2019, Wisler was claimed off waivers by theMinnesota Twins.[31][32] In 18 games (4 starts) during the 2020 season, Wisler had an ERA of 1.07 in25+1⁄3 innings, while striking out 35 batters, a career-high 12.4 strikeouts per 9 innings.[29] Despite his solid performance that year, Wisler was non-tendered by the Twins on December 2.[33]
Wisler signed a one-year deal with theSan Francisco Giants on December 8, 2020.[34] After struggling to a 6.05 ERA in 21 appearances for the Giants, Wisler was designated for assignment on June 9, 2021.[35][36]
On June 11, 2021, Wisler was traded to theTampa Bay Rays in exchange for minor league pitcherMichael Plassmeyer.[37][38] On July 7, Wisler combined withCollin McHugh,Josh Fleming,Diego Castillo, andPeter Fairbanks to no–hit theCleveland Indians. However, since the feat was achieved in a truncated seven–inningdoubleheader game, it was not recorded as an officialno-hitter.[39] Wisler appeared in 27 games for Tampa Bay down the stretch, pitching to a 2–3 record and 2.15 ERA with 36 strikeouts in 29.1 innings of work.
In 2022, Wisler made 39 appearances out of the bullpen for the Rays. He posted a 3–3 record and 2.86 ERA with 34 strikeouts and 14 walks, before missing significant time from July to September with a neck injury.[40][41] Wisler was designated for assignment on September 5, 2022.[42][43] He rejected an outright assignment on September 7 and became a free agent.[44]
On February 13, 2023, Wisler signed a minor league contract with theDetroit Tigers organization.[45][46] In 39 appearances for the Triple–AToledo Mud Hens, he posted a 5–2 record and 4.40 ERA with 53 strikeouts and 2 saves in 47.0 innings of work. On August 5, Wisler was released by the Tigers.[47]
On August 12, 2023, Wisler signed a minor league contract with theToronto Blue Jays.[48][49] In 15 appearances out of the bullpen for the Triple–ABuffalo Bisons, he recorded a 5.17 ERA with 20 strikeouts across15+2⁄3 innings of work. Wisler elected free agency following the season on November 6.[50]
On March 17, 2024, Wisler announced his retirement from professional baseball via anInstagram post.[51]
While in the minor leagues, Wisler was known for his changeup. However, during his rookie year with the Braves, he began pairing his fastball with a slider instead, throwing his changeup on only 8.5% of pitches.[52]
Wisler and his wife, Madie, married On November 9, 2019, inAtlanta.[53]
