Mark Mathias
{{short description|American baseball player (born 1994)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name = Mark Mathias
|image = Mark Mathias (19375369130).jpg
|caption = Mathias with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers in 2015
|width = 225
|team = Long Island Ducks
|number = 5
|position = Second baseman / Outfielder
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|8|2}}
|birth_place = Santa Clara, California, U.S.
|bats = Right
|throws = Right
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate = August 4
|debutyear = 2020
|debutteam = Milwaukee Brewers
|statleague = MLB
|statyear = 2023 season
|stat1label = Batting average
|stat1value = .246
|stat2label = Home runs
|stat2value = 6
|stat3label = Runs batted in
|stat3value = 30
|teams =
- Milwaukee Brewers ({{mlby|2020}}, {{mlby|2022}})
- Texas Rangers ({{mlby|2022}})
- Pittsburgh Pirates ({{mlby|2023}})
- San Francisco Giants ({{mlby|2023}})
}}
Mark Andrew Mathias (born August 2, 1994) is an American professional baseball second baseman for the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Milwaukee Brewers, Texas Rangers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and San Francisco Giants. Mathias played college baseball at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the third round of the 2015 Major League Baseball draft. He made his MLB debut in 2020.
High school and college
Mathias attended Irvington High School in Fremont, California.{{cite web|url=http://mustangnews.net/one-step-at-a-time-how-cal-polys-all-american-second-baseman-came-to-be/|title=One step at a time: How Cal Poly's star second baseman came to be|author=Mustang News Staff|date=March 20, 2015|website=Mustang News|access-date=November 20, 2019}} He played shortstop and pitched, and was MVP and first-team All-Mission Valley League in his junior year.{{Cite web|url=https://gopoly.com/sports/baseball/roster/mark-mathias/255|title=Mark Mathias - 2015 - Baseball|website=Cal Poly}}
Undrafted out of high school, Mathias attended California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where he played college baseball for the Cal Poly Mustangs.{{cite web|url=https://www.sanluisobispo.com/sports/college/cal-poly/article39537693.html|title=Cal Poly's Mathias, Mundell selected in second day of MLB Draft|author=Alex J. Jankowski|website=The Tribune|date=June 9, 2015|access-date=November 20, 2019}} Mathias also played for the 2014 USA Collegiate National Team.{{cite web|url=https://cpe-prod.usabaseball.com/documents/2/5/8/239016258/CNT_2014Roster_nk2irldj.pdf|title=2014 Collegiate National Team|website=USA Baseball|access-date=November 16, 2019}} He underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery in December 2014.{{cite web|url=https://www.sanluisobispo.com/sports/college/cal-poly/article39509439.html|title=Mathias to miss time after having shoulder surgery|author=Joshua G. Scroggin|website=The Tribune|date=January 14, 2015|access-date=November 20, 2019}} In his college career he batted 356/.426/.447 in 452 at bats with 95 runs and 21 stolen bases.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=mathia000mar|title=Mark Mathias College & Minor Leagues Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}
Professional career
=Cleveland Indians=
The Cleveland Indians selected Mathias in the third round of the 2015 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/indians-open-day-2-of-draft-with-mark-mathias/c-129539248|title=Indians open Day 2 with infielder Mathias|website=MLB.com|author=Jordan Bastian|date=June 9, 2015|access-date=November 20, 2019}} Mathias played for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers in 2015, hitting .282/.382/.408 with two home runs and 32 runs batted in (RBIs). He split the 2016 season between the Lynchburg Hillcats and the Akron RubberDucks, hitting a combined .267/.351/.396 with five home runs and 61 RBIs.{{cite web|url=https://www.newsadvance.com/sports/high-school-reunion-prep-teammates-mathias-and-koch-reunite-with/article_9c89c354-0106-57ad-ba5d-d608d652e080.html|title=High school reunion: Prep teammates Mathias and Koch reunite with Hillcats|author=Mark D. Robertson|date=June 7, 2016|website=The News & Advance|access-date=November 20, 2019}} In the Carolina League, he was 8th in runs (70), 3rd in doubles (39), and 7th in hit by pitch (10).{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/leader.cgi?id=626a284e&type=bat|title=2016 Carolina League Batting Leaders|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} He was named a Carolina League post-season All Star, and an MiLB organization All Star.{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/player/mark-mathias-664029|title=Mark Mathias Stats, Fantasy & News|website=MiLB.com}}
Mathias spent the 2017 and 2018 seasons in Akron, hitting .212 in 35 games in 2017, and .232 with eight home runs and 45 RBIs in 2018. He was named an MiLB organization 2018 All Star. He spent the 2019 season with the Columbus Clippers, hitting .269/.355/.442 with 12 home runs and 59 RBIs.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/brewers-mark-mathias-sent-to-milwaukee/|title=Brewers' Mark Mathias: Sent to Milwaukee|website=CBSSports.com|author=RotoWire Staff|date=November 20, 2019|access-date=November 20, 2019}}
=Milwaukee Brewers=
Cleveland traded Mathias to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for Andres Melendez on November 20, 2019, and the Brewers added him to their 40-man roster.{{cite web|url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/mlb/brewers/2019/11/20/brewers-add-corey-ray-j-p-feyereisen-roster-do-not-protect-zack-brown/4243897002/|title=Brewers add Ray, Feyereisen to 40-man roster; trade with Indians for infielder Mark Mathias|author=Tom Haudricourt|website=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=November 20, 2019|access-date=November 20, 2019}}
Mathias made his MLB debut on August 4, 2020, as a pinch runner. In 2020 with the Brewers he batted .278/.278/.361 in 36 at bats, playing primarily right field.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mathima01.shtml|title=Mark Mathias Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}
On March 16, 2021, Mathias was placed on the 60-day injured list due to a torn labrum in his shoulder, and remained there through the end of the season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/03/brewers-to-add-travis-shaw-to-40-man-roster.html|title=Brewers To Add Travis Shaw To 40-Man Roster|website=MLB Trade Rumors}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/giants/player/mark-mathias-664029|title=Mark Mathias Stats, Fantasy & News|website=MLB.com}} On November 19, 2021, Mathias was outrighted off of the 40-man roster and sent to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/player/mark-mathias-664029|title=Mark Mathias Stats, Fantasy & News|website=Minor League Baseball|access-date=December 8, 2021}}
On May 24, 2022, the Brewers selected Mathias' contract from Triple-A Nashville. In 2022 with Nashville, he batted .318/.421/.518 in 170 at bats. On June 11, Mathias hit his first major league home run, a two-run shot off of Patrick Corbin of the Washington Nationals.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlb.com/video/mark-mathias-homers-1-on-a-fly-ball-to-left-field-lorenzo-cain-scores | title=Mark Mathias' first career homer | 06/11/2022 | website=MLB.com }} For the season with the Brewers, he batted 2-16, playing six games at second base.
=Texas Rangers=
On August 1, 2022, Mathias and pitcher Antoine Kelly were traded to the Texas Rangers in exchange for pitcher Matt Bush.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/matt-bush-brewers-trade|first=Adam|last=McCalvy|title=Bush deal further helps bolster Brewers' bullpen|website=MLB.com}} With Round Rock he batted .345/.429/.517 in 29 at bats, playing primarily second base. Mathias played in 24 games with Texas in 2022, hitting .277/.365/.554 in 65 at bats with 5 home runs and 16 RBIs.{{Cite magazine |last=Postins |first=Matthew |date=October 24, 2022 |title=Rangers 40-Man Roster Wraps: Mark Mathias |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/rangers/news/texas-rangers-40-man-roster-mark-mathias-profile-review-offseason |access-date=2023-01-08 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}} On March 4, 2023, Mathias was designated for assignment by the Rangers after the signing of Will Smith was made official.{{Cite web |date=March 4, 2023 |title=RANGERS SIGN FREE AGENT LHP WILL SMITH TO ONE-YEAR MAJOR LEAGUE CONTRACT |url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-rangers-sign-free-agent-lhp-will-smith-to-one-year-major-league-co |access-date=2023-03-04 |website=MLB.com |language=}}
=Pittsburgh Pirates=
On March 8, 2023, Mathias was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for Ricky DeVito.{{Cite web|title=Pirates' Mark Mathias: Dealt to Bucs|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/pirates-mark-mathias-dealt-to-bucs/amp/|access-date=2023-03-08|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} Mathias was optioned to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians to begin the 2023 season, and with them he batted .273/.393/.384 in 99 at bats, playing primarily right field and second base.{{Cite web|title=Pirates' Mark Mathias: Sent to Triple-A|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/pirates-mark-mathias-sent-to-triple-a/amp/|access-date=2023-03-27|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} In 22 games for Pittsburgh, Mathias batted .231/.355/.269 in 52 at bats with no home runs, 4 RBIs, and 3 stolen bases without being caught. He played 15 games at second base, and two games in right field. On June 25, he was designated for assignment by the Pirates.{{Cite web|title=Pirates trade for Dodgers reliever Andre Jackson, Mark Mathias designated for assignment|url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2023/06/25/pirates-trade-andre-jackson-dodgers-mark-mathias-designated-assignment/stories/202306250133|access-date=June 25, 2023|website=post-gazette.com|language=en}}
=Seattle Mariners=
On July 2, 2023, Mathias was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Mariners.{{Cite web|title=Mariners' Mark Mathias: Lands in Seattle|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/mariners-mark-mathias-lands-in-seattle/amp/|access-date=July 2, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} With the Triple–A Tacoma Rainiers, he batted .345/.427/.500 in 58 at bats, playing primarily second base.
=San Francisco Giants=
On July 31, 2023, Mathias and A. J. Pollock were traded to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for cash considerations or a player to be named later.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/a-j-pollock-trade-giants-trade-for-veteran-outfielder-utility-man-mark-mathias-from-mariners/|first=Mike|last=Axisa|title=A.J. Pollock trade: Giants trade for veteran outfielder, utility man Mark Mathias from Mariners|website=CBSSports.com}}{{cite news |last1=Passan |first1=Jeff |title=Seattle Mariners deal AJ Pollock, Mark Mathias to Giants |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38110329/seattle-mariners-deal-aj-pollock-mark-mathias-giants |access-date=July 31, 2023 |publisher=ESPN |date=July 31, 2023}} After 5 games with San Francisco, Mathias was placed on the injured list with a right shoulder strain on August 18.{{Cite web|title=Giants' Mark Mathias: Placed on 10-day IL|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/giants-mark-mathias-placed-on-10-day-il/|access-date=August 27, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} He was transferred to the 60–day injured list on August 22, ending his season.{{Cite web|title=Giants' Mark Mathias: Moved to 60-day IL|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/giants-mark-mathias-moved-to-60-day-il/|access-date=August 27, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} Following the season on November 1, Mathias was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to the Triple–A Sacramento River Cats.{{Cite web|title=Giants' Mark Mathias: Outrighted to minors|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/giants-mark-mathias-outrighted-to-minors/amp/|access-date=November 2, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} However, Mathias rejected the assignment and elected free agency on November 3.{{Cite web|title=Mark Mathias: Heads to open market|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/mark-mathias-heads-to-open-market/|access-date=November 4, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}
=Cincinnati Reds=
On November 29, 2023, Mathias signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds.{{Cite web|title=Reds' Mark Mathias: Latches on with Cincinnati|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/reds-mark-mathias-latches-on-with-cincinnati/|access-date=December 5, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} However, he did not appear in a game for the organization and elected free agency following the season on November 4, 2024.{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2024|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2024/|access-date=April 4, 2025|website=baseballamerica.com|language=en}}
=Long Island Ducks=
On April 4, 2025, Mathias signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.{{Cite web|title=Ducks Sign MLB Vet Mark Mathias|url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/ducks-sign-mlb-vet-mark-mathias/n-6208737|access-date=April 4, 2025|website=oursportscentral.com|language=en}}
Personal life
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{baseballstats |mlb=664029 |espn=35783 |br=m/mathima01 |fangraphs=18032 |brm=mathia000mar |retro=M/Pmathm002}}
{{Big West Conference Baseball Player of the Year navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mathias, Mark}}
Category:Akron RubberDucks players
Category:American baseball players of Chinese descent
Category:Baseball players from Santa Clara, California
Category:Cal Poly Mustangs baseball players
Category:Columbus Clippers players
Category:Indianapolis Indians players
Category:Lynchburg Hillcats players
Category:Mahoning Valley Scrappers players
Category:Major League Baseball infielders
Category:Milwaukee Brewers players
Category:Nashville Sounds players
Category:Pittsburgh Pirates players
Category:Round Rock Express players
Category:Sacramento River Cats players
Category:San Francisco Giants players