Matthew Lindstrom

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Matthew R. Lindstrom (born February 11, 1980 in Rexburg, Idaho) is a minor-league right-handed pitcher in the Florida Marlins organization.

Lindstrom played college ball at Ricks Junior College and was selected by the Mets in the 10th round of the 2002 MLB Amateur Draft.

He made his professional debut at Rookie League Kingsport and posted an 0-6 record with a 4.84 ERA in twelve games (eleven starts). He began next year at Class-A Capital City and was dominant, as his 2.86 ERA and 7.94 K/9 rate showed. This earned him a promotion to Brooklyn where Lindstrom would finish out the 2003 season well, as he compiled a 7-3 record with a 3.44 ERA.

In 2004, Lindstrom was promoted to St. Lucie where, at 24, he compiled a 5-5 record with a 3.73 ERA in fourteen starts. His walk rate was staggering, however, at 2.26 BB/9. The righty found himself back at Capital City midway through the season, where he his numbers improved slightly, as he posted a 3-2 record with a 3.21 ERA and much-improved control, with a 1.61 BB/9.

At age 25, Lindstrom began the 2005 season at AA Binghamton, in what was determined to be a make-or-break year for his career. Lindstrom went 2-5 with an ERA of 5.40 with eye-popping walk and home-run rates of 6.75 BB/9 and 1.35 HR/9 in thirty-five games (ten starts, as the troubled righty was switched to bullpen duty midway through the season).

On November 20, 2006, Lindstrom and Henry Owens were traded to the Florida Marlins in exchange for Jason Vargas and Adam Bostick. Both, Lindstrom and Owens highly regarded as a top closer candidates for the 2007 season. Lindstrom's fastball often touches 100 mph and averages in the high 90's. Playing in the Puerto Rican Winter League this offseason, his fastball was clocked at 102 mph.