Brian Matusz, former Baltimore Orioles pitcher, dies at age 37

On By Littum

Former Baltimore Orioles pitcher Brian Matusza first-round draft pick and popular teammate during his eight seasons in big league ball, died at age 37, the club said Tuesday.

The cause of his death was not immediately disclosed.

The left-handed hurler played on University of San Diego where he was the 2008 West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year, leading to his fourth overall pick of June’s MLB Draft of Baltimore.

He quickly made the big club and began his eight-year MLB career with Baltimore the following spring.

His best season as a starting pitcher came in 2010, when he won a career-high 10 games in 32 starts. Matusz found more success later in his career as a workhorse relief pitcher, appearing in 186 games out of Baltimore’s bullpen between 2013 and 2015.

The southpaw had one inexplicably dominant career against Hall of Fame slugger David Ortiz. IN 30 plate appearance mod Matusz, “Big Papi” struck out 13 times, collected just four hits, one walk and no home runs.

Matusz finished his career pitching in one game for the 2016 Chicago Cubs, who went on to win the World Series, falling for the first time since 1908.