Phil Maton Stats & Scouting Report

IP	35.1
ERA	4.58
WHIP	1.33
BB/9	4.58
SO/9	7.64

Full name Phillip Louis Maton
Born 03/25/1993 in Paducah, KY
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 206 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Louisiana Tech
Debut 06/11/2017
Drafted in the 20th round (597th overall) by the San Diego Padres in 2015.

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Organization Prospect Rankings

Maton was an all-Conference USA starter at Louisiana Tech but shifted to the bullpen after the Padres drafted him in 2015. He missed most of the first month of 2016 with an oblique injury, but still zoomed through the system to reach Triple-A El Paso only a year after being drafted. Maton operates with a heavy 93-96 mph fastball, a low-80s curveball with one of the highest spin rates in the organization, a low-90s cutter that saws bats off and plus control. He began the year at low Class A Fort Wayne but ended it as closer for the Pacific Coast League champions, notching three saves in as many chances in the postseason. He continued his run of dominance with a 2.92 ERA and 15-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio in the Arizona Fall League. With a repeatable delivery, a good pitcher's body and elite stuff, Maton profiles as a high-leverage reliever or possible closer. Multiple scouts reported they had already written him up as a trade target by the end of 2016. Maton is in position to make his major league debut in 2017 and stay there.
Maton was a second-team all-Conference USA selection at Louisiana Tech as a senior in 2015, leading the conference in strikeouts (90) and going 4-4, 3.68 in 14 starts. The Padres shifted him to the bullpen after making him a 20th-round pick because he averaged nearly 90 innings per season while in college. Maton's bat-missing efficiency improved dramatically with the role switch, and he recorded a 58-to-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 33 innings at short-season Tri-City. He led Northwest League relievers with 15.8 strikeouts and 1.4 walks per nine innings. Maton is not overpowering, but his fastball can reach 94 mph with late life and tail, and it appears to find another gear when it reaches the strike zone. His hard slider--which he calls a cutter--is deceptive and comes in at 86-88 mph, and he also throws a curveball. One NWL manager who saw him said both secondary offerings project to at least average. Maton has a great pitcher's body, with plenty of room to grow, which allows for projection on his fastball and continued durability. The Padres plan to give him a chance to start in 2016, perhaps at high Class A Lake Elsinore, but he will need to reintroduce his changeup in order to make it in the rotation.