Matt Packer Stats & Scouting Report

IP	544
ERA	3.458
WHIP	1.257
BB/9	2.051
SO/9	7.197

Full name Matt Packer
Born 08/28/1987 in Rockville, MD
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: L / Throws: L
School Virginia
Drafted in the 32nd round (965th overall) by the Cleveland Guardians in 2009.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Packer dominated as a Virginia sophomore in 2008, leading NCAA Division I with a 1.14 ERA. His ERA jumped to 4.13 in his junior year, however, and he lasted until the 32nd round of the 2009 draft, where he signed for $50,000. He made quick work of the lower levels of the system and reached Double- A in August of his first full pro season. Packer isn't big but gets downhill plane on an 86-90 mph fastball that peaks at 92 with plus sink. He fills the strike zone and averaged just 1.8 walks per nine innings last year when he returned to Akron. His efficiency helps him get groundballs early in the count and to get ahead of hitters, setting up his above-average changeup. His curveball and a slider are both below-average pitches at this point, with the slider showing more potential. Despite his advanced changeup and lack of a breaking ball, Packer was much more effective against lefthanders (.604 OPS) than righties (.790 OPS) in 2011. He'll make his Triple-A debut in 2012 and could see big league action as a back-of-the-rotation starter.
Packer led NCAA Division I baseball with a 1.14 ERA as a Virginia sophomore in 2008. His ERA swelled to 4.13 in his draft year in 2009, and he lasted until the 32nd round and signed for $50,000. He turned into one of the biggest surprises in the system last year, overwhelming low Class A hitters before jumping to Double-A in August. Packer gets hitters out by pounding the strike zone and keeping the ball on the ground, posting a 2.6 groundout/airout ratio in 2010. Throwing from a three-quarters slot, he gets quality sink on an 88-91 mph fastball that tops out at 93. He has an above-average changeup with armside tail and sink. He throws both a slider and a curveball, but his breaking pitches are still works in progress. With his athleticism, he's able to repeat his delivery and throw all of his pitches for strikes. Packer likely will return to Akron to begin 2011 and ultimately profiles as a No. 4 or 5 starter.