Josué Matos
Encyclopedia
Josué Matos has spent over a decade in pro baseball and has pitched at times for the Puerto Rican national team.
Matos was picked in the 27th round of the 1996 amateur draft by the Seattle Mariners
as a draft-and-follow selection. The right-hander spent a season at junior college
then made his pro debut in 1997 with the AZL Mariners (1-0, Sv, 4.17, 50 K, 6 BB in 45 1/3 IP) and Everett AquaSox
(2.08 in 2 G). The right-hander returned to the AZL Mariners for '98 and went 3-0 with a 2.20 ERA in 17 games, fanning 51 batters in 41 innings while giving up just 29 hits.
In 1999, the Mayaguez native became a starter and was 9-9 with a 4.63 ERA for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
; he struck out
over 3 times as many as he walked and averaged nearly a K per inning. In the winter of 1999-2000, Josue had a 3-3, 2.79 record for the San Juan Senators of the Puerto Rican League. Returning to the US, he split time between the Lancaster JetHawks
(3-3, 2.64, 93 K in 88 2/3 IP) and New Haven Ravens (4-5, 3.63).
Matos' rise was slowed in 2001 as he missed a full season due to injury. He returned in 2002 to pitch for the San Antonio Missions
(1-0, 4.91 in 3 G) and Tacoma Rainiers
(4-7, 5.92, .300 average allowed), struggling in his AAA debut. In '03, Josue returned to the bullpen, where he excelled for San Antonio, going 7-2 with 4 saves and a 2.24 ERA in 48 outings. He held opponents to a .187 average and fanned 104 in 88 1/3 IP.
In 2004, Matos moved to the Toronto Blue Jays
organization and pitched for the Syracuse SkyChiefs
. There, he was 7-6 with a 5.04 ERA in a starting role primarily. He led Jays farmhands in walks (56). In the winter of 2004-2005, Josue went 5-2 with a 2.63 ERA for the Gigantes de Carolina
; he tied Evan Thomas
and Jonathan Albaladejo
for the Puerto Rican
League lead in victories. He split his time in the Jays system between Syracuse (5-3, 6.63, .313 opponent average) and the New Hampshire Fisher Cats
(0-1, 1.45 in 9 G, .206 opponent average). He also moved to the Philadelphia Phillies
organization during the year, going 3-0 with a 1.23 ERA in 7 games for the Reading Phillies
.
Matos pitched for Puerto Rico in the 2005 Baseball World Cup
but went 0-3 with a 4.76 ERA, losing to Team USA
, Japan and Australia. The rest of Puerto Rico's staff was 6-2. He did better in the 2005-2006 Puerto Rican League, going 4-0 with a 2.27 ERA for Carolina and finishing second in ERA behind Kyle Middleton.
Matos was selected to pitch for Puerto Rico in the 2006 World Baseball Classic
and pitched one game, in Puerto Rico's 12-2 upset of the Cuban national team. Josue relieved Dicky Gonzalez
to begin the bottom of the 5th. He walked Yoandy Garlobo
and allowed a single to Carlos Tabares
. He then retired Eduardo Paret
on a grounder, got Michel Enríquez
to pop up then got Yulieski Gourriel
to fly out. Willie Collazo
relieved him in the 6th.
In the regular season, he was with the Newark Bears
(0-1, 2.31 in 2 G) and Monclova Steelers (4.15 in 1 G). He spent 2007 with the North Shore Spirit
(0-2, 5.74) and Alexandria Aces
(0-1, 7.56), again failing to hold down a regular spot anywhere.
The veteran hurler pitched for Puerto Rico in the 2008 Americas Baseball Cup
, which his country won. He outdueled Francisco Campos
of Mexico 2-1 in the opener but lasted just one inning against Panama. He went 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in the event.
In the 2008-2009 Puerto Rican League, Matos had a 5-2, 2.89 record for Carolina. He then won his only appearance in the 2009 Caribbean Series
, tossing 5 shutout innings of 2-hit ball but walking six Licey Tigers. He is on Puerto Rico's provisional roster for the 2009 World Baseball Classic.
Matos was picked in the 27th round of the 1996 amateur draft by the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
as a draft-and-follow selection. The right-hander spent a season at junior college
Junior college
The term junior college refers to different educational institutions in different countries.-India:In India, most states provide schooling through 12th grade...
then made his pro debut in 1997 with the AZL Mariners (1-0, Sv, 4.17, 50 K, 6 BB in 45 1/3 IP) and Everett AquaSox
Everett AquaSox
The Everett AquaSox are a minor league baseball team in Everett, Washington, USA. They are a Short-Season A classification team in the Northwest League, of which they are the current defending champions...
(2.08 in 2 G). The right-hander returned to the AZL Mariners for '98 and went 3-0 with a 2.20 ERA in 17 games, fanning 51 batters in 41 innings while giving up just 29 hits.
In 1999, the Mayaguez native became a starter and was 9-9 with a 4.63 ERA for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers are a minor league baseball team of the Midwest League, and the Class A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Grand Chute, Wisconsin, and are named for timber rattlesnakes. The team plays its home games at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium...
; he struck out
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
over 3 times as many as he walked and averaged nearly a K per inning. In the winter of 1999-2000, Josue had a 3-3, 2.79 record for the San Juan Senators of the Puerto Rican League. Returning to the US, he split time between the Lancaster JetHawks
Lancaster JetHawks
The Lancaster JetHawks are a minor league baseball team of the California League located in Lancaster, California. The team is named for the city's association with the aerospace industry and plays its home games at Clear Channel Stadium...
(3-3, 2.64, 93 K in 88 2/3 IP) and New Haven Ravens (4-5, 3.63).
Matos' rise was slowed in 2001 as he missed a full season due to injury. He returned in 2002 to pitch for the San Antonio Missions
San Antonio Missions
The San Antonio Missions are a minor league baseball team based in San Antonio, Texas. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres major-league club. The Missions play in Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium, located in San Antonio...
(1-0, 4.91 in 3 G) and Tacoma Rainiers
Tacoma Rainiers
The Tacoma Rainiers are a minor league baseball team that plays in the Pacific Coast League , and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners...
(4-7, 5.92, .300 average allowed), struggling in his AAA debut. In '03, Josue returned to the bullpen, where he excelled for San Antonio, going 7-2 with 4 saves and a 2.24 ERA in 48 outings. He held opponents to a .187 average and fanned 104 in 88 1/3 IP.
In 2004, Matos moved to the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
organization and pitched for the Syracuse SkyChiefs
Syracuse SkyChiefs
The Syracuse Chiefs are a minor league baseball team based in Syracuse, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals...
. There, he was 7-6 with a 5.04 ERA in a starting role primarily. He led Jays farmhands in walks (56). In the winter of 2004-2005, Josue went 5-2 with a 2.63 ERA for the Gigantes de Carolina
Gigantes de Carolina
Gigantes de Carolina, Spanish for "Carolina Giants", is the name of several professional sport teams based in Carolina, Puerto Rico:*Gigantes de Carolina , a basketball team in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional...
; he tied Evan Thomas
Evan Thomas
Evan Welling Thomas III is an American journalist and author. He currently teaches journalism at Princeton University.-Life and career:Thomas was born in Huntington, New York and was raised in Cold Spring Harbor, New York...
and Jonathan Albaladejo
Jonathan Albaladejo
Jonathan Albaladejo Santana is a professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Yomiuri Giants in Nippon Professional Baseball. Prior to signing with Yomiuri, Albaladego pitched for the Washington Nationals and New York Yankees of Major League Baseball.-Career:Albaladejo hired his...
for the Puerto Rican
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
League lead in victories. He split his time in the Jays system between Syracuse (5-3, 6.63, .313 opponent average) and the New Hampshire Fisher Cats
New Hampshire Fisher Cats
The New Hampshire Fisher Cats are a minor league baseball team based in Manchester, New Hampshire. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays major-league club....
(0-1, 1.45 in 9 G, .206 opponent average). He also moved to the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
organization during the year, going 3-0 with a 1.23 ERA in 7 games for the Reading Phillies
Reading Phillies
The Reading Phillies are a minor league baseball team based in Reading, Pennsylvania, playing in the Eastern Division of the Eastern League. Since the 1967 season, they have been the AA affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies....
.
Matos pitched for Puerto Rico in the 2005 Baseball World Cup
2005 Baseball World Cup
The XXXVI Baseball World Cup took place in the Netherlands cities of Rotterdam, Haarlem, Almere, Amsterdam and Eindhoven September 2–17, 2005. Countries were split into two groups of nine, with the first four of each group qualifying for the finals....
but went 0-3 with a 4.76 ERA, losing to Team USA
Team USA
Team USA is a wrestling faction brought together as part of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's X-Cup Tournaments, which involved a team of X Division superstars from various countries representing their nation in an international wrestling competition.-America's X-Cup:Team USA was created and led...
, Japan and Australia. The rest of Puerto Rico's staff was 6-2. He did better in the 2005-2006 Puerto Rican League, going 4-0 with a 2.27 ERA for Carolina and finishing second in ERA behind Kyle Middleton.
Matos was selected to pitch for Puerto Rico in the 2006 World Baseball Classic
2006 World Baseball Classic
---------Pool B:-------------Pool C:-------------Pool D:-------------Pool 1:-----------------Pool 2:-------------Finals:-Semifinals:-Final:-Final standings:...
and pitched one game, in Puerto Rico's 12-2 upset of the Cuban national team. Josue relieved Dicky Gonzalez
Dicky Gonzalez
Dicky Angel Gonzalez is a Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher with the Yomiuri Giants.-Biography:...
to begin the bottom of the 5th. He walked Yoandy Garlobo
Yoandy Garlobo
Yoandy Garlobo Romay is a baseball player who starred for Cuba at the 2006 World Baseball Classic. Garlobo was the designated hitter for Cuba at the tournament, where he had a .480 batting average—second only to Ken Griffey, Jr...
and allowed a single to Carlos Tabares
Carlos Tabares
Carlos Alberto Tabares Padilla is a center fielder for Industriales of the Cuban National Series...
. He then retired Eduardo Paret
Eduardo Paret
Eduardo Paret Pérez is a Cuban baseball player. He is a shortstop for Villa Clara of the Cuban National Series, and for the Cuban national baseball team....
on a grounder, got Michel Enríquez
Michel Enríquez
Michel Enríquez Tamayo is a Cuban baseball third baseman....
to pop up then got Yulieski Gourriel
Yulieski Gourriel
Yulieski Gourriel is a Cuban baseball player. A member of Cuba's national team and Sancti Spíritus in the Cuban National Series, Gourriel is primarily a third baseman, though he has also played other positions, such as shortstop and 2nd base...
to fly out. Willie Collazo
Willie Collazo
William Collazo is a Puerto Rican Major League Baseball pitcher currently in the Toronto Blue Jays organization....
relieved him in the 6th.
In the regular season, he was with the Newark Bears
Newark Bears
The Newark Bears are an American professional baseball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are a member of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Since the 1999 season, the Bears have played their home games at Bears &...
(0-1, 2.31 in 2 G) and Monclova Steelers (4.15 in 1 G). He spent 2007 with the North Shore Spirit
North Shore Spirit
The North Shore Spirit was a minor-league baseball team based in Lynn, Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007. The Spirit played in the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball , an independent league that is not affiliated with Major League Baseball or with the Minor League Baseball...
(0-2, 5.74) and Alexandria Aces
Alexandria Aces
This article is about the Alexandria Aces of the Texas Collegiate League, who are based in Alexandria, LA. For the Alexandria Aces of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League, see Alexandria Aces ...
(0-1, 7.56), again failing to hold down a regular spot anywhere.
The veteran hurler pitched for Puerto Rico in the 2008 Americas Baseball Cup
2008 Americas Baseball Cup
The 2008 America Baseball Cup is being held in the Venezuelan cities of Puerto Ordaz and El Tigre, from September 26 to October 7. The tournament acts as a qualifier for the 2009 World Cup....
, which his country won. He outdueled Francisco Campos
Francisco Campos
Francisco Machado Campos *Bats Right, Throws Right*Height 6' 0", Weight 175 lb.*Born August 12, 1972 in Guaymas, Sonora Mexico-Biographical Information:...
of Mexico 2-1 in the opener but lasted just one inning against Panama. He went 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in the event.
In the 2008-2009 Puerto Rican League, Matos had a 5-2, 2.89 record for Carolina. He then won his only appearance in the 2009 Caribbean Series
2009 Caribbean Series
The LI edition of the Caribbean Series was played in . It was held from February 2 through February 7 with the champions teams from Dominican Republic , Mexico , Puerto Rico and Venezuela . The format consisted of 12 games, each team facing the other teams twice...
, tossing 5 shutout innings of 2-hit ball but walking six Licey Tigers. He is on Puerto Rico's provisional roster for the 2009 World Baseball Classic.
Sources
- 1998-2009 Baseball AlmanacBaseball AlmanacBaseball Almanac is an interactive baseball encyclopedia with 3,000 pages of baseball facts, research, awards, records, feats, lists, notable quotations, baseball movie ratings, and statistics. Its goal is to preserve the history of baseball....
s - SABR database
- Matos's appearance in the 2006 WBC
- IBAF