WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

2005
A-:  4-7-0, 2.68 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 84.0 IP, 1.8 BB/9, 8.4 K/9

Mathis had a strong debut as a starter in short season ball.

2006
A+:  10-7-0, 4.18 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 150.2 IP, 2.8 BB/9, 6.5 K/9
AA:  0-0-0, 3.60 ERA, 1.90 WHIP, 10.0 IP, 4.5 BB/9, 9.0 K/9

The Rangers moved Mathis up to high A and he pitched well, especially considering that it was the California League.  He didn’t have a good K rate.

2007
R:  0-0-0, 16.88 ERA, 3.00 WHIP, 2.2 IP, 3.4 BB/9, 6.8 K/9
AA:  11-7-0, 3.76 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 131.1 IP, 2.7 BB/9, 6.3 K/9
AAA:  0-3-0, 10.66 ERA, 2.13 WHIP, 12.2 IP, 4.3 BB/9, 5.7 K/9

Mathis had a solid season in AA.  He didn’t strike out many and had more hits allowed than innings pitched, but he didn’t walk many and kept the ball in the park, allowing only seven HRs.  He didn’t fare well after a late promotion to AAA.

2008
R:  0-0-0, 4.50 ERA, 0.50 WHIP, 2.0 IP, 0.0 BB/9, 13.50 K/9
AAA:  5-1-0, 3.35 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 53.2 IP, 2.3 BB/9, 6.0 K/9
MLB:  2-1-0, 6.85 ERA, 2.28 WHIP, 22.1 IP, 5.6 BB/9, 3.6 K/9

Mathis got off to a strong start in AAA and the Rangers called him up in mid-May.  He made four starts and four relief appearances, mostly struggling, then went on the disabled list in mid-June with right shoulder inflammation.  Mathis missed nearly two months before returning and didn’t pitch again in the majors.  Texas non-tendered him in the off-season and he re-signed a few days later, returning no a minor league deal.

2009
AAA:  4-2-0, 2.84 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 57.0 IP, 2.4 BB/9, 6.0 K/9
MLB:  0-1-1, 3.16 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 42.2 IP, 2.1 BB/9, 5.3 K/9

Mathis again pitched well in AAA and the Rangers called him back up in early June.  He started twice but otherwise pitched out of the bullpen the rest of the way and was generally effective.

2010
AAA:  5-7-0, 5.66 ERA, 1.65 WHIP, 89.0 IP, 3.1 BB/9, 5.5 K/9
MLB:  1-1-0, 6.04 ERA, 1.84 WHIP, 22.1 IP, 4.4 BB/9, 4.0 K/9

Mathis opened the season with the Rangers’ bullpen, but struggled badly.  Among other things, he allowed a gopher ball every three innings. Texas sent him to AAA in mid-May after he allowed eight runs in one appearance and he returned only briefly in July.  Mathis also struggled in AAA, having uncharacteristic control problems and allowing a .321 opponents’ average.  The Rangers non-tendered him after the season.

2011
AAA (SF):  0-4-0, 3.60 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 65.0 IP, 4.3 BB/9, 7.5 K/9
AAA (Oak):  0-1-0, 6.33 ERA, 1.69 WHIP, 21.1 IP, 3.8 BB/9, 4.2 K/9

Mathis had an interesting year, getting released by three different organizations.  He signed with Cleveland in the off-season, but the Indians released him shortly before the season started.  The Giants picked him up a week later and he made 13 starts for them in AAA before they also released him.  Oakland signed him two days later, but the Athletics released him after a month and four starts.  He struggled with Oakland and didn’t pitch that well for the Giants, either, despite the good ERA.

2012
AAA (Bos):  7-6-0, 4.07 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 101.2 IP, 3.2 BB/9, 5.2 K/9
JAPAN:  1-4-0, 6.49 ERA, 1.86 WHIP, 26.1 IP, 2.7 BB/9, 4.8 K/9

Mathis signed with Boston and he pitched mainly as a starter for them in AAA, with mediocre results.  The Sox released him in late July and he signed to go to Japan, where he pitched poorly.

2013
AAA (Mia):  5-8-0, 3.85 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 114.2 IP, 4.2 BB/9, 6.7 K/9
AAA (Pgh):  0-1-0, 7.50 ERA, 1.83 WHIP, 6.0 IP, 0.0 BB/9, 6.0 K/9

Mathis signed with the Marlins and pitched mostly as a starter in AAA.  His performance was only marginally better than in 2012.  The Pirates acquired him in preparation for September, knowing they’d be calling up several pitchers.  He made one relief appearance and one start for Indianapolis, getting hammered in the latter.

Mathis will be a free agent after the season.  There’s no particular reason the Pirates would try to bring him back.