| Phil Maton | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Maton with the Mets in 2024 | |
| St. Louis Cardinals – No. 88 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1993-03-25)March 25, 1993 (age 32) Paducah, Kentucky, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 11, 2017, for the San Diego Padres | |
| MLB statistics (through March 31, 2025) | |
| Win–loss record | 19–15 |
| Earned run average | 4.13 |
| Strikeouts | 463 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Phillip Louis Maton III (/ˈmeɪtɑːn/MAY-tahn;[1] born March 25, 1993) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher for theSt. Louis Cardinals ofMajor League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for theSan Diego Padres,Cleveland Indians,Houston Astros,Tampa Bay Rays, andNew York Mets.
Maton played college baseball atLouisiana Tech University. He was drafted by the Padres in the 20th round of the2015 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut with them in 2017.
Maton attendedGlenwood High School inChatham, Illinois, andLouisiana Tech University, where he playedcollege baseball for theLouisiana Tech Bulldogs.[2]
TheSan Diego Padres selected Maton in the 20th round, with the 597th overall selection, of the2015 Major League Baseball draft.[2] He made his professional debut that year with theLow–ATri-City Dust Devils.[3] In 23 relief appearances, Maton pitched to a 4–2win–loss record, 1.38earned run average (ERA), and 58strikeouts in 322⁄3innings pitched.[4] In 2016, Maton pitched for theSingle–AFort Wayne TinCaps,High–ALake Elsinore Storm, andTriple–AEl Paso Chihuahuas.[5] He made a total of 38 appearances for the three teams, and posted a 5–3 record, 1.74 ERA, and 78 strikeouts in 512⁄3 innings.[4] After the season, he played in theArizona Fall League for thePeoria Javelinas.[6] Maton began the 2017 season with Triple-A El Paso.[4]
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On June 11, 2017, Maton was called up by the Padres afterJake Esch wasdesignated for assignment.[7] Maton remained with the big league club for the rest of the season, pitching in a middle relief role. He finished the season with a 4.19 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 43 innings over 46 games.
Maton started 2018 with Triple-A El Paso, but was quickly recalled to the majors whenWil Myers went to thedisabled list on April 4.[8] On May 13, Maton went to the DL with a strainedlat and returned to the team on June 21 after a rehab assignment.[9] He was quickly optioned to Triple-A on June 24, but recalled again on July 9 after posting a sub-1.00 WHIP in six appearances in El Paso.[10] Maton stayed with the Padres for the remainder of the year, again pitching in middle relief. For the season, he had a 4.37 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 471⁄3 innings. Maton's walk rate rose in 2018, and he was less effective after returning from his injury, posting a 0.56 ERA in his 16 innings before going on the DL and a 6.32 ERA with the Padres afterwards.[11]
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On July 12, 2019, Maton was traded to theCleveland Indians in exchange for international bonus pool allotments.[12] In Maton's subsequent 9 games with Cleveland, he posted a 2.92 ERA in 121⁄3 innings.
With the Indians, Maton appeared in 23 games, compiling a 3–3 record with 4.57 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 21.2 innings pitched.[13]
On July 30, 2021, the Indians traded Maton toHouston Astros along with minor league catcherYainer Díaz in exchange for outfielderMyles Straw.[14] With Houston in 2021, Maton was 4–0 with a 4.97 ERA. In 27 games, he pitched25+1⁄3 innings.[15]
Maton avoided arbitration with the Astros on March 22, 2022, agreeing to a $1.55 million contract for the season.[16] On June 15, Maton threw animmaculate inning in the seventh inning versus theTexas Rangers atGlobe Life Field, striking outNathaniel Lowe,Ezequiel Durán, andBrad Miller. In the second inning, teammateLuis Garcia had also struck out the same three batters for an immaculate inning, making this the first occasion in major league history of two immaculate innings pitched in a single game, on the same date.[17] Maton's immaculate inning was the ninth in team history.[18] In the 2022 season final on October 5, Maton faced his younger brother,Nick, in the major leagues for the first time, yielding a single.[19] After the game, Maton punched a locker, which resulted in a fractured fifth metacarpal area on his right hand. He underwent surgery a day later and was ruled out for theplayoffs, although the Astros would still win theWorld Series, giving Maton his first World Series championship.[20]
On January 13, 2023, Maton signed a one-year, $2.55 million contract with the Astros, avoiding salary arbitration.[21] The Astros placed Maton on the 15-dayinjured list on August 12, due to a right elbow contusion. He sustained impact of a line drive comebacker hit byEduardo Escobar during the ninth inning of the game prior versus theLos Angeles Angels.[22]
On February 14, 2024, Maton signed a one-year contract with theTampa Bay Rays, that included a club option for the 2025 season.[23] In 40 relief outings for the Rays, Maton compiled a 4.58 ERA with 30 strikeouts and 2saves across35+1⁄3 innings pitched.
On July 9, 2024, the Rays traded Maton to theNew York Mets in exchange for aplayer to be named later or cash considerations.[24] In 31 appearances for New York, he posted a 2.51 ERA with 30 strikeouts across 282⁄3 innings pitched. On November 4, the Mets declined the 2025 option on Maton, making him a free agent.[25]
On March 13, 2025, Maton signed a one-year, $2 million contract with theSt. Louis Cardinals.[26]
Maton's two younger brothers also play baseball.Nick is a utility player for theChicago White Sox and Jacob is a pitcher who was drafted by the Mariners in 2018, but opted to play college baseball at Coastal Carolina.
Maton is married to Katelynn Cook, a 4-year player for the Louisiana Tech softball team. She graduated in 2016. .[27]
