On Sunday, prior to their 5-2 defeat to the San Diego Padres, the New York Yankees reacquired right-handed pitcher Matt Sauer.
Who is Matt Sauer?
Standing at 6-foot-4, Matt Sauer began his professional career with the Yankees after being selected in the second round of the 2017 draft. His ascent to the major leagues, however, has been hindered by recurring injuries. Last year, Pinstripes Nation mentioned him as a potential game-changer on the pitch, but things didn’t turn out as expected.
Matt Sauer’s talent was unmistakable during a standout performance in the summer of 2022, where he struck out 17 batters over eight innings for Double-A Somerset against New Hampshire. Despite such impressive outings, his progress was repeatedly stalled by injuries in the following seasons.
Given his injury history, the Yankees chose not to include Matt Sauer on their 40-man roster. As a result, the Kansas City Royals picked him in the Rule 5 Draft during the offseason. Sauer impressed during spring training and secured a spot on the Royals’ Opening Day roster, making his major league debut with four scoreless relief appearances.
However, Matt Sauer’s performance deteriorated as the season advanced. His struggles contributed to the Royals’ decision to designate him for assignment, adhering to the Rule 5 Draft rule requiring his presence on the roster for the entire season or placement on waivers.
After being designated for assignment, Matt Sauer cleared waivers and rejoined the Yankees. The Yankees paid the Royals $50,000 to reclaim Sauer, highlighting their ongoing belief in his potential despite his past struggles.
Now 25, Matt Sauer has been assigned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to continue his development. During his time with the Royals, Sauer recorded a 0-0 record and a 7.71 ERA over 14 appearances, with nine strikeouts and 11 walks in 16.1 innings.
Despite these mixed results, Royals manager Matt Quatraro remained optimistic about Sauer’s future, citing his strong performance in spring training and his potential to become a successful major league pitcher.
MLB Pipeline’s scouting report provides insight into Matt Sauer’s capabilities. His fastball typically ranges between 91-93 mph, occasionally reaching 95 mph, and is complemented by a powerful low-80s slider. However, Sauer continues to face challenges in refining his changeup and improving his command, both critical for securing a spot in a major league rotation.
Matt Sauer’s journey, marked by injuries and setbacks, underscores his resilience and potential. Whether he achieves success as a starting pitcher or transitions to a bullpen role, Sauer’s story exemplifies the perseverance required to navigate the unpredictable path to success in professional baseball.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Matt Sauer will probably be slotted into the SWB rotation, at least temporarily replacing Will Warren, who desperately needs a time out, that is if a) he is healthy, or b) the organization pitching gurus did something to Warren like they did to Deivi Garcia.