University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Matt Wotherspoon Called Up to Baltimore Orioles
4/3/2019 3:34:00 PM | Baseball
Former Panther Prepares to Make MLB Debut
TORONTO – Former University of Pittsburgh pitcher Matt Wotherspoon has been called up to the MLB, joining the Baltimore Orioles as the team takes part in AL East play in Toronto.
Wotherspoon, who began the season with the Orioles' Triple-A affiliate in Norfolk, Va., was selected in the 34th Round of the 2014 MLB First Year Player Draft by the New York Yankees. He joined the Orioles organization in a trade during the 2017 campaign.
"I couldn't be happier for Matt," said pitching coach Jerry Oakes. "It's every ball player's dream to make it to the big leagues and all of his hard work has finally paid off. He was a tough competitor on the mound for us at Pitt and he's taken that tenacity and fight to a new level with the Orioles. Baltimore is lucky to have him and I'm confident that he will be a great asset for the organization. Hopefully he can have fun and enjoy what an amazing opportunity this is and get out on the field and show what he's got."
One of the top pitchers in program history, Wotherspoon cemented his name in the Pitt record books in his four years. He made an immediate impact in his rookie season in 2011, going on to earn All-Conference recognition in 2013 and leading the team into ACC action in 2014.
He ranks third in program history in wins (23), innings pitched (327.1) and strikeouts (257) having made 60 appearances, sixth most by a Pitt pitcher, and 50 starts, second most in program history. He owns two of the team's top-20 single season strikeout records, whiffing 86 in 2012 and 85 in 2013.
The Mountain Top, Pa., native had a strong 2018 campaign, spending the entire season with the Norfolk Tides in the International League. He made 39 appearances, including 12 starts, striking out 105 batters over 94.0 innings.
Wotherspoon is amongst a slew of successful Pitt pitchers over the past five seasons, as the Panthers have had 14 pitchers selected in that time frame, including three top-10 round selections and one first round pick. Fellow 2014 draftee Joe Harvey is currently throwing with the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, while 2016 first-round selection T.J. Zeuch earned an invite to MLB Spring Training from the Toronto Blue Jays after a successful season with the organization's Double-A affiliate.
He joins 2011 Pitt alum Kevan Smith in the MLB ranks, who currently catches with the Los Angeles Angels.
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Wotherspoon, who began the season with the Orioles' Triple-A affiliate in Norfolk, Va., was selected in the 34th Round of the 2014 MLB First Year Player Draft by the New York Yankees. He joined the Orioles organization in a trade during the 2017 campaign.
"I couldn't be happier for Matt," said pitching coach Jerry Oakes. "It's every ball player's dream to make it to the big leagues and all of his hard work has finally paid off. He was a tough competitor on the mound for us at Pitt and he's taken that tenacity and fight to a new level with the Orioles. Baltimore is lucky to have him and I'm confident that he will be a great asset for the organization. Hopefully he can have fun and enjoy what an amazing opportunity this is and get out on the field and show what he's got."
One of the top pitchers in program history, Wotherspoon cemented his name in the Pitt record books in his four years. He made an immediate impact in his rookie season in 2011, going on to earn All-Conference recognition in 2013 and leading the team into ACC action in 2014.
He ranks third in program history in wins (23), innings pitched (327.1) and strikeouts (257) having made 60 appearances, sixth most by a Pitt pitcher, and 50 starts, second most in program history. He owns two of the team's top-20 single season strikeout records, whiffing 86 in 2012 and 85 in 2013.
The Mountain Top, Pa., native had a strong 2018 campaign, spending the entire season with the Norfolk Tides in the International League. He made 39 appearances, including 12 starts, striking out 105 batters over 94.0 innings.
Wotherspoon is amongst a slew of successful Pitt pitchers over the past five seasons, as the Panthers have had 14 pitchers selected in that time frame, including three top-10 round selections and one first round pick. Fellow 2014 draftee Joe Harvey is currently throwing with the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, while 2016 first-round selection T.J. Zeuch earned an invite to MLB Spring Training from the Toronto Blue Jays after a successful season with the organization's Double-A affiliate.
He joins 2011 Pitt alum Kevan Smith in the MLB ranks, who currently catches with the Los Angeles Angels.
#H2P | Twitter | Instagram
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