Matt Marksberry

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Matt Marksberry

| image =

| caption =

| team =

| number =

| position = Pitcher

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1990|8|25}}

| birth_place= Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.

| bats = Left

| throws = Left

| debutleague= MLB

| debutdate = July 31

| debutyear = 2015

| debutteam = Atlanta Braves

| finalleague= MLB

| finaldate = July 30

| finalyear = 2016

| finalteam = Atlanta Braves

| statleague = MLB

| stat1label = Win–loss record

| stat1value = 0–3

| stat2label = Earned run average

| stat2value = 5.06

| stat3label = Strikeouts

| stat3value = 23

| teams =

Atlanta Braves ({{mlby|2015}}–{{mlby|2016}})

}}

Matthew Gates Marksberry (born August 25, 1990) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB) in 2015 and 2016.

Early life

Marksberry was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on August 25, 1990, to father Bob and mother Sandra. He attended Glen Este High School.{{cite news|title=GE's Matt Marksberry off to Campbell Univ.|url=http://clermontsun.com/2009/08/22/ges-matt-marksberry-off-to-campbell-univ/|access-date=March 9, 2016|work=Clermont Sun|date=August 22, 2009}}{{cite news|last1=Grove|first1=Charles|title=Local ballplayer achieves MLB dream|url=http://peoplesdefender.com/sports/971/local-ballplayer-achieves-mlb-dream|access-date=March 9, 2016|work=People's Defender|date=August 13, 2015}}

Career

=Atlanta Braves=

Marksberry played college baseball at Campbell University. He was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 15th round of the 2013 Major League Baseball Draft.{{cite news|last1=Single|first1=Eric|last2=Bowman|first2=Mark|title=Round 15 pick Marksberry is Braves' first lefty|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/round-15-pick-marksberry-is-braves-first-lefty/c-50015666|access-date=July 31, 2015|work=MLB.com|date=June 8, 2013}}

He started the 2015 season with the Single-A Carolina Mudcats and was later promoted to the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves, without having played at the Double-A level.{{cite news|last1=Bowman|first1=Mark|title=Marksberry still marveling at Majors callup|url=http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/166629650/matt-marksberry-on-2015-callup-to-braves|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309093930/http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/166629650/matt-marksberry-on-2015-callup-to-braves|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 9, 2016|access-date=March 9, 2016|work=MLB.com|date=March 8, 2016}} After eleven games with Gwinnett, Marksberry was called up to the majors for the first time on July 30, 2015, and made his MLB debut the next day, pitching {{frac|1|1|3}} innings.{{cite news|last1=O'Brien|first1=David|title=Perez to take Wood's spot in Braves rotation; Marksberry called up|url=http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/baseball/perez-to-take-woods-spot-in-braves-rotation-marksb/nm9Zn/|access-date=July 31, 2015|work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|date=July 30, 2015}}{{cite news|last1=Bowman|first1=Mark|title=Marksberry excited to be in Major Leagues|url=http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/140149638/matt-marksberry-happy-to-be-member-of-braves|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150804002125/http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/140149638/matt-marksberry-happy-to-be-member-of-braves|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 4, 2015|access-date=August 4, 2015|work=MLB.com|date=July 31, 2015}}

Marksberry was invited to spring training in 2016, but did not make Opening Day roster.{{cite news|last1=Bowman|first1=Mark|title=Braves send Withrow, Marksberry to Minors|url=http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/167406072/braves-assign-three-pitchers-to-minor-leagues|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315035858/http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/167406072/braves-assign-three-pitchers-to-minor-leagues|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 15, 2016|access-date=March 14, 2016|work=MLB.com|date=March 14, 2016}} He was sent to the Double-A Mississippi Braves to start the season, and recalled on April 23.{{cite news|last1=Bowman|first1=Mark|title=Marksberry makes brief stop with Braves|url=http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/174049888/braves-promote-left-hander-matt-marksberry|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424111310/http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/174049888/braves-promote-left-hander-matt-marksberry|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 24, 2016|access-date=April 23, 2016|work=MLB.com|date=April 23, 2016}} He made an appearance against the New York Mets, then was optioned to Gwinnett after the game.{{cite news|last1=O'Brien|first1=David|title=Braves prospect Blair to debut with start Sunday vs. Mets|url=http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/baseball/braves-prospect-blair-to-debut-with-start-sunday-v/nq97L/|access-date=April 24, 2016|work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|date=April 23, 2016}} Marksberry was next recalled on June 25, and spent four days in the major leagues.{{cite web|last1=James|first1=Pat|title=Struggling Blair optioned, Marksberry recalled|url=http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/186171224/braves-option-blair-recall-marksberry/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160627135853/http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/186171224/braves-option-blair-recall-marksberry|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 27, 2016|work=MLB.com|access-date=September 21, 2016|date=June 25, 2016}}{{cite web|last1=Boor|first1=William|title=Gwinnett trio combines to no-hit Louisville Bats|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/gwinnett-braves-pitchers-combine-to-toss-no-no-c187214790|work=MLB.com|access-date=September 21, 2016|date=July 1, 2016}} On July 28, Marksberry was recalled for the third time during the 2016 season.{{cite web|last1=James|first1=Pat|title=Braves fortify 'pen; recall Ramirez, Marksberry|url=http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/192272750/braves-recall-jose-ramirez-matt-marksberry/|work=MLB.com|access-date=September 21, 2016|date=July 28, 2016|archive-date=August 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814214953/http://m.braves.mlb.com/news/article/192272750/braves-recall-jose-ramirez-matt-marksberry/|url-status=dead}} He was placed on the 15-day disabled list on July 31, and moved to the 60-day disabled list in September, ending his season.{{cite news|last1=Cunningham|first1=Michael|title=Braves place Marksberry on DL, recall Castro|url=http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/baseball/braves-place-marksberry-on-dl-recall-castro/nr7jG/|access-date=September 22, 2016|work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|date=July 31, 2016}}{{cite news|title=Atlanta Braves - PlayerWatch|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/bbo-braves-playerwatch-idUSMTZEC9IPLXR1Z|access-date=September 22, 2016|work=Reuters|date=September 18, 2016}} Marksberry was released in March 2017.{{cite news|last1=Eddy|first1=Matt|title=Minor League Transactions: March 11–17|url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/minor-league-transactions-march-11-17/|access-date=April 12, 2017|work=Baseball America|date=March 21, 2017}}

=Somerset Patriots=

On August 2, 2017, Marksberry signed with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League. He was released on August 6, without appearing in a game.{{cite web |title=ALPB - 2017 Transactions |url=https://baseball.pointstreak.com/transactions.html?leagueid=174&seasonid=30757 |access-date=May 25, 2017 |work=Pointstreak}}

=Québec Capitales=

On August 17, 2017, Marksberry signed with the Québec Capitales of the Can-Am League. In 6 games 4.1 innings of relief he went 1-1 with a 4.15 ERA with 8 strikeouts.

=Melbourne Aces=

In early 2018, Marksberry was playing for the Melbourne Aces in the Australian Baseball League.

=Lancaster Barnstormers=

On February 7, 2018, Marksberry was traded from the Québec Capitales to the Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 45 games 39.2 innings of relief he went 2-2 with a 1.82 ERA with 47 strikeouts. He became a free agent following the 2018 season.

=Arizona Diamondbacks=

On January 4, 2019, Marksberry signed a minor league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks that included an invitation to spring training.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/SirLEFTYDuro/status/1081213533210267649|title=Matt Marksberry on Twitter|publisher=}} He was released on March 14, 2019.

=Lancaster Barnstormers (second stint)=

On March 20, 2019, Marksberry signed with the Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He became a free agent following the 2019 season. In 54 games 55.1 innings of relief he struggled going 4-4 with a 5.69 ERA with 64 strikeouts and 1 save.

=Sydney Blue Sox=

Marksberry signed with the Sydney Blue Sox of the Australian Baseball League for the 2019/20 season.

On March 5, 2020, Marksberry signed with the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball. However, the team was not selected by the league to compete in the condensed 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Marksberry was not chosen by another team in the dispersal draft, and therefore became a free agent.

Personal life

After the 2016 season, Marksberry reported having stomach pains. He underwent a colonoscopy, had a seizure, and suffered a collapsed lung during the procedure. He was placed in a medically induced coma.{{cite news|last1=O'Brien|first1=David|title=Braves pitcher Marksberry recovering after seizure|url=http://www.ajc.com/sports/baseball/braves-pitcher-marksberry-recovering-after-seizure/6KnHUnSsH2Qv44Jrz2Jn9H/|access-date=April 12, 2017|work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|date=October 20, 2016}}