Matt Capps

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**Matt Capps**

Pittsburgh Pirates — No. 55
Closing Pitcher
Born: September 3, 1983 (1983-09-03) (age 24)
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
Major League Baseball debut
September 16, 2005 for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Selected MLB statistics (through 2008)
Win-Loss	13-8
Saves	34
Earned Run Average	2.93
Strikeouts	142
Teams
Pittsburgh Pirates (2005-present)

Matthew Dicus Capps (born September 3, 1983 in Douglasville, Georgia), nicknamed "The Mad Capper," is a baseball relief pitcher who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He possesses a noteworthy change up and a 95 MPH fastball, and has excellent command of both.

Capps was drafted by the Pirates in the 7th round of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft. He was a starting pitcher until 2004, never advancing above A-level in the minor leagues.

In 2005, he was converted to a relief pitcher and his career took off. Though he started the season at A-level Hickory, he was promoted mid-season to the AA Altoona Curve and to the Indianapolis Indians for the International League playoffs. After Indianapolis's season ended, he was promoted to the Pirates on September 16 and made his debut that night.

The beginning of the 2006 season saw Capps break spring training with the Pirates. At first, Capps saw time only in safe situations, but as the season wore on, he established himself as one of the most consistent and effective relievers in the Pittsburgh bullpen, and became one of manager Jim Tracy's go-to guys in relief. Although only a rookie, Capps saw a lot of appearances as the Pirates set-up man to closers Mike González and Salomón Torres.

In 85 games during the 2006 season with the Pirates, Capps pitched a total of 80.2 innings, striking out 56 batters, while only allowing 81 hits and 37 runs, for an ERA of 3.79. Capps posted a team best 9-1 record out of the bullpen, while mixing in 13 holds and 1 save. He led all Major League rookie pitchers in appearances.

Capps began his second major league season as the sole eighth inning set-up man to Torres, and through the beginning of June, he was among Major League Baseball's leaders in holds. On June 1, 2007, manager Jim Tracy announced that Capps would replace Torres as the Pirates closer. One day later, Capps recorded his first save of the season - second of his career - and officially kicked off what could be a long stint as the Pittsburgh closer if he continues to perform as expected.

Capps is a 2002 graduate of Alexander High School in Douglasville, where he lettered in football, basketball, cross-country and baseball before signing a scholarship with LSU.