DIOMEDES MATEO
LEFT HANDED PITCHER
  Born: October 26, 1989
Height: 6′ 2″
Weight: 209
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Signed: Int. FA, Pittsburgh Pirates, 2010
How Acquired: Int. FA
Birthplace: Dominican Republic
Agent: N/A

WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES
At 21, Mateo signed at a relatively late age for a Dominican prospect.  Or maybe he didn’t.  According to the Pirates’ media guide, the team signed Mateo in 2010.  According to MiLB.com, Mateo pitched for the Pirates in the DSL in 2009 (but not 2010).  The stats at MiLB.com for Mateo in 2009 are the same as those listed at bb-ref for Yoldi Sierra, who pitched very well in three games and disappeared.  Both MiLB.com and the team’s media guide are prone to mistakes, but it’s the media guide that appears to be wrong here, maybe intentionally so, which is disturbing.  Mateo didn’t sign in 2010; he signed earlier and falsified his age and identity, then was suspended for a year when he got caught.  Anyway, he has decent size for a LHP and shouldn’t be another small, soft-tossing lefty type.  He was sitting at 88-90 when I saw him in camp in 2011.

2011
DSL:  0-0-0, 4.91 ERA, 1.91 WHIP, 7.1 IP, 9.8 BB/9, 7.4 K/9
R:  3-2-0, 5.36 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 42 IP, 3.4 BB/9, 7.1 K/9
A-:  0-0-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.00 WHIP, 1 IP, 0.0 BB/9, 18.0 K/9 

After pitching in a few games in the DSL, Mateo pitched mainly out of the bullpen in the GCL, although he started twice and generally pitched about three innings at a time in relief.  He mainly struggled, with a 5.36 ERA and 1.48 WHIP.  He pitched much better in August, though, after struggling badly before that.  The Pirates moved him up to State College for one appearance, which resulted in a one-two-three inning with two Ks.

The Pirates seem to regard Mateo as a prospect.  If so, and if he shows progress in spring training, it’s possible he could appear at West Virginia.  Otherwise, he’ll probably be at State College in 2012.
STATS
Baseball Reference — Minors
Fangraphs
MiLB.com
CONTRACT INFORMATION
2012: Minor League Contract
PLAYER INFORMATION
Signing Bonus: N/A
MiLB Debut: 2011
MLB Debut: N/A
MiLB FA Eligible: 2017
MLB FA Eligible: N/A
Rule 5 Eligible: 2014
Added to 40-Man: N/A
Options Remaining: 3
MLB Service Time: 0.000
TRANSACTIONS
July 19, 2010: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent.
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