Rays Reward 37th Rounder Matt Plitt for Postseason Dominance

As much as we love statistics, often they don’t the whole story, especially in college. Matt Plitt’s regular season statistics showed an up-and-down pitcher whose future in baseball was in question. Plitt, a 6’4″, 220 senior right-hander, went 2-0 with a 3.83 ERA in 24 regular season appearances, striking out 36 while walking 25 in 51.2 innings pitched. He had his moments, saving four games and striking out at least four in four different appearances, but he also had seven different contests where he allowed multiple runs. However, Plitt turned everything around to lead Louisiana-Lafayettte to the NCAA Super Regionals, and the Rays gave him a flier in the 37th round to see if he can sustain that.

In six tournament appearances for the Ragin’ Cajuns, Plitt has a 1.69 ERA in 6 appearances and 10.2 innings pitched. He has been thrown into big spots and forced to toss multiple innings, and that has been something he has been entirely comfortable doing. He has also struck out 10 in those innings although he did also walk six. Plitt’s collegiate career is over–Ole Miss eliminated Louisiana-Lafayette in the Super Regionals–but he ended it with the strongest stretch of his career and that may just mean something. Plitt can touch the low-90’s with his fastball with good late bite, and he also has his moments with a breaking ball. He has never been a lost cause on the mound, but he just never could figure it out. Maybe this is just another hot streak by Matt Plitt before he goes back down to earth, or maybe he is hitting another gear as he enters pro ball.