Matthew Allen Peacock (born February 27, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Kansas City Royals.
| Matt Peacock | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Peacock with the Omaha Storm Chasers in 2022 | |
| Free agent | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: February 27, 1994 Saraland, Alabama, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 6, 2021, for the Arizona Diamondbacks | |
| MLB statistics (through 2022 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 5–7 |
| Earned run average | 4.95 |
| Strikeouts | 56 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
Amateur career
editPeacock attended Saraland High School in Saraland, Alabama.[1] In 2011, his junior year, he posted a 3.42 ERA while batting .440 with 32 RBIs.[2] He earned All-State honorable mention.[3] He was not drafted in the 2012 Major League Baseball draft, and he enrolled at the University of South Alabama where he played college baseball.
Peacock redshirted and did not make an appearance during his freshman year in 2013. In 2014, as a redshirt freshman, he made eight relief appearances in which he went 0–1 with a 6.10 ERA. As a redshirt sophomore in 2015, he pitched in only three games. Peacock underwent surgery on his throwing arm in 2016, and he did not make an appearance that season, instead choosing to work at his uncle's sawmill.[4] He returned to the mound in 2017, and moved into the closer role.[5] Over 25 relief appearances, he went 3–3 with a 2.88 ERA, ten saves, and 55 strikeouts over fifty innings.[6]
Professional career
editArizona Diamondbacks
editFollowing the season, Peacock was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 23rd round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft.[7][8] He made his professional debut with the Hillsboro Hops, going 0–2 with a 2.45 ERA over 22 relief appearances. In 2018, Peacock began the season with the Kane County Cougars (with whom he was named a Midwest League All-Star)[9] before being promoted to the Visalia Rawhide. Over 28 games (16 starts) between the two clubs, he pitched to a 7–6 record and a 4.20 ERA. He spent 2019 with the Jackson Generals with whom he pitched to an 8–4 record and 2.97 ERA over 21 games (twenty starts).[10] Peacock did not play a minor league game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[11] The Diamondbacks added him to their 40-man roster after the 2020 season.[12]
On April 6, 2021, Peacock was promoted to the major leagues for the first time to fill in for the injured Joakim Soria.[13] He made his MLB debut that night against the Colorado Rockies, picking up his first MLB win in a 13-inning victory.[14] In the game, he also recorded his first MLB hit off of Rockies reliever Ben Bowden, becoming the first pitcher since 1945 to make his debut in extra innings and record his first hit and win.[15] Peacock pitched a total of 86+1⁄3 innings for the Diamondbacks, going 5–7 with a 4.90 ERA and fifty strikeouts.[16] He was designated for assignment on April 21, 2022.[17]
Kansas City Royals
editOn April 24, 2022, the Diamondbacks traded Peacock to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for cash considerations.[18] Peacock spent brief time in the Royals’ minor league system, appearing in games for the Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals and the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers. Appearing in 7 games for Kansas City, he logged a 4.91 ERA with 4 strikeouts in 7.1 innings pitched. On July 1, Peacock was designated for assignment by the Royals following the waiver claim of Ryan Weiss.[19]
Toronto Blue Jays
editOn July 6, 2022, Peacock was claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays.[20] He was designated for assignment on August 9. He was sent outright to Triple-A on August 12.
Peacock spent the 2023 season with the Triple–A Buffalo Bisons, and also played in one game for the Single–A Dunedin Blue Jays. In 20 appearances for Buffalo, he recorded a 6.46 ERA with 19 strikeouts and 2 saves across 23+2⁄3 innings pitched. Peacock elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2023.[21]
References
edit- ^ Bean, Josh (April 7, 2011). "Baseball, bloodlines clash today on Saraland high school diamond (Bean)". al.com.
- ^ "JAG BASEBALL ADDS PEACOCK FOR 2012-13". University of South Alabama Athletics. February 14, 2012.
- ^ Johnston, Nick (June 12, 2011). "Area athletes make All-State baseball team". Gadsden Times.
- ^ Hicks, Stephen (July 13, 2018). "Good Sports: Visalia Rawhide's Matt Peacock". ABC 30 Fresno.
- ^ Stephenson, Creg (April 28, 2017). "Matt Peacock has given USA bullpen much-needed boost". al.com.
- ^ Munz, Jason (May 31, 2017). "MUNZ: Bullpens will be key to Hattiesburg regional". Hattiesburg American.
- ^ Stephenson, Creg (June 14, 2017). "USA's Matt Peacock drafted by Arizona Diamondbacks". al.com.
- ^ Long, A. Stacy (June 13, 2017). "Alabamians in 2017 baseball draft". The Montgomery Advertiser.
- ^ Norris, Josh (June 6, 2018). "Midwest League Announces 2018 All-Star Rosters". Baseball America.
- ^ Newman, Logan (November 20, 2020). "Diamondbacks make 7 roster moves, DFA relief pitcher Junior Guerra". Arizona Sports.
- ^ Adler, David (June 30, 2020). "2020 Minor League Baseball season canceled". MLB.com.
- ^ Gilbert, Steve (November 23, 2020). "D-backs add 5 to roster, designate Guerra". MLB.com.
- ^ Polishuk, Mark (April 6, 2021). "Diamondbacks Place Joakim Soria On 10-Day Injured List". MLB Trade Rumors.
- ^ Santos, Justice (April 7, 2021). "Peacock's historic debut lifts D-backs in 13th". MLB.com.
- ^ Inabinett, Mark (April 7, 2021). "Saraland's Matt Peacock makes rare MLB debut". al.com.
- ^ "Diamondbacks' Matt Peacock: Optioned to Triple-A". CBS Sports. September 4, 2021.
- ^ "Diamondbacks' Matt Peacock: Designated for assignment". CBS Sports. April 21, 2022.
- ^ Worthy, Lynn (April 24, 2022). "Kansas City Royals acquire relief pitcher via trade from Diamondbacks: the details". Kansas City Star.
- ^ "Royals' Matt Peacock: Designated for assignment". CBS Sports. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
- ^ "Blue Jays' Matt Peacock: Claimed by Blue Jays". CBS Sports. July 6, 2022.
- ^ "2023 MiLB Free Agents". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
External links
edit- Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet