Matt Capps
| Matt Capps | |
|---|---|
 Capps in a non-save situation at the home opener of 2012 | |
| Cleveland Indians | |
| Relief pitcher | |
|
Born: September 3, 1983 Douglasville, Georgia | |
| Bats: Right | Throws: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| September 16, 2005 for the Pittsburgh Pirates | |
| Career statistics (through 2012 season) | |
| Win-loss record | 29-33 |
| Earned run average | 3.52 |
| Strikeouts | 319 |
| Saves | 138 |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Matthew "Matt" Dicus Capps (born September 3, 1983), is a professional baseball relief pitcher who is with the Cleveland Indians organization. He is a 2002 graduate of Alexander High School in Douglasville, where he lettered in football, basketball, cross-country and baseball before receiving a scholarship to Louisiana State University.
Professional career
Pittsburgh Pirates
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 later to the AAA 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. 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, 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 the 2007 season as the sole eighth inning set-up man to Torres, and through the beginning of June was among Major League Baseball's leaders in holds. On June 1, manager Jim Tracy announced that Capps would replace Torres as the Pirates closer.[1] One day later, Capps recorded his first save of the season—the second of his career. This was the kick start to his new role as the Pirates' closer.
Capps started the 2008 season by earning 15 consecutive saves, before blowing his first save of the season on June 10. On July 2, Capps was placed on the disabled list after suffering from arm soreness.[2] He missed nearly two months of action while he rehabbed at the Pirates' spring training facility in Bradenton, Florida. He ended the season with 21 saves and five blown saves.
In 2009, Capps converted 27 of 32 save opportunities, with a 5.80 ERA. He allowed 73 hits and 35 earned runs in 54.1 innings pitched. Capps was not tendered a contract by the Pirates on December 12 and became a free agent.
Washington Nationals
On January 6, 2010, Capps signed a one year, $3.5 million deal with the Washington Nationals.[3] Capps was named the DHL Delivery Man Award winner for the month of April 2010, after recording ten saves in ten opportunities with an ERA of 0.68 for the month.[4] He would convert his first 16 save opportunities of the season, en route to recording 23 saves in the season's opening half, good for a tie for second in the major leagues. He earned his first All-Star Game selection, voted in on the Player's Ballot. He was the leading vote-getter among all NL relievers.
Capps went on to be the winning pitcher in the game. The sixth hurler for the NL, he struck out the previous day's Home Run Derby winner David Ortiz looking with a 2–2 fastball to end the sixth inning, holding the American Leaguers to a 1–0 lead. He was the beneficiary of Brian McCann's three-run double in the seventh.[5][6]
Minnesota Twins
On July 29, 2010, Capps was traded to the Minnesota Twins for catcher Wilson Ramos and left-handed pitcher Joe Testa. He took over the closer role from Jon Rauch [7] and picked up his first save as a Twin in his first outing against the Seattle Mariners, on July 30. Through October 2, Capps was 2–0 with a 2.00 ERA for the Twins, with 16 saves in 18 opportunities. Upon the return of Joe Nathan, Capps was reassigned to the setup role for the 2011 season. After two blown saves in a row, Nathan relinquished the closer role to Capps on April 16. Capps again became a setup man for Nathan after a dramatic loss at Target Field on July 15, 2011.
In December 2011, Capps re-signed with the Twins. The contract guarantees at least one year and at least $4,750,000.
On October 24, 2012, the Twins announced they would decline their club option for Capps worth $6MM. Capps received a $250K buyout.[8]
Cleveland Indians
On January 31, 2013, the Cleveland Indians announced they signed Capps to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training. They subsequently released him on March 25. He was re-signed to another minor league contract a day later. He was assigned to Triple-A Columbus, where he pitched in 6 games before going on the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation. On June 5, he underwent surgery, ending his season. He gave up 1 run in 7 innings in those 6 games with Columbus, striking out 3.
On October 17, 2013, Capps signed another minor league deal with the Indians with an invitation to spring training.[9]
Pitching style
Capps throws four pitches: a four-seam fastball and two-seam fastball (91–95 mph), slider (85–89), and changeup (87–89). Left-handed hitters see more two-seam fastballs and changeups, while righties see more four-seamers and sliders. On a handful of occasions, Capps has experimented with a cutter to right-handers.[10]
See also
- List of Major League Baseball all-time saves leaders
References
- ↑ Associated Press (June 1, 2007). "Capps takes over Bucs' closer role, Torres moves to setup". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 30, 2010.
- ↑ "Pirates place Matt Capps on 15-day disabled list". MLB.com. July 2, 2008. Retrieved April 30, 2010.
- ↑ Ladson, Bill (January 6, 2010). "Capps, Nats finalize one-year deal". MLB.com. Retrieved April 30, 2010.
- ↑ Ladson, Bill (May 3, 2010). "Capps named Delivery Man of the Month". MLB.com (Major League Baseball). Retrieved May 5, 2010.
- ↑ "MLB.com Gameday". MLB.com.
- ↑ Lyle, Spencer (July 14, 2010). "National uprising: NL wins All-Star Game". MLB.com.
- ↑ Thesier, Kelly (July 29, 2010). "Twins Acquire Matt Capps". MLB.com.
- ↑ Christensen, Joe (October 24, 2012). "Capps gone, Cubs get Gutierrez, 6 others are cut by Twins". Minneapolis Star Tribune.
- ↑ Simon, Andrew (October 17, 2013). "Indians re-sign Capps to Minor League deal". Indians.com.
- ↑ "Brooks Baseball · Home of the PitchFX Tool - Player Card: Matt Capps". Brooks Baseball. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)