Matt Sauer

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Matt Sauer

|image = Matt_Sauer_(rGN25_L9y5M).png

|caption = Sauer in 2018

|team = Los Angeles Dodgers

|number = 64

|position = Pitcher

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|1|21}}

|birth_place = Santa Maria, California, U.S.

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = March 31

|debutyear = 2024

|debutteam = Kansas City Royals

|statleague = MLB

|statyear = May 19, 2025

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 1–0

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 5.29

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 20

|teams =

Kansas City Royals ({{mlby|2024}})
Los Angeles Dodgers ({{mlby|2025}}–present)

}}

Matthew David Sauer (born January 21, 1999) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Kansas City Royals.

Career

=Amateur career=

Sauer attended Righetti High School in Santa Maria, California.{{cite web|url=http://santamariatimes.com/sports/high-school/baseball/righetti-s-matt-sauer-earns-pac-league-baseball-mvp/article_86fabcc1-45e9-55b5-8b82-1030165c1409.html |title=Sauer earns PAC 8 League baseball MVP | Baseball |publisher=santamariatimes.com |date=June 8, 2017 |access-date=September 13, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.sanluisobispo.com/sports/high-school/article148493939.html |title=MLB scout evaluates top pitching prospect Matt Sauer | The Tribune |publisher=Sanluisobispo.com |date=May 3, 2017 |access-date=September 13, 2017}}{{cite web|first=Dave |last=Alley |url=http://www.keyt.com/sports/righetti-pitcher-awaits-to-hear-named-called-during-todays-mlb-draft/538159550 |title=Righetti pitcher awaits to hear named called during today's MLB Draft |publisher=KEYT |date=June 12, 2017 |access-date=September 13, 2017}} As a senior, he went 9–1 with a 0.98 earned run average (ERA) and 142 strikeouts.{{cite web|last=Punzal |first=Barry |url=https://www.noozhawk.com/article/righetti_pitcher_matt_sauer_drafted_by_the_new_york_yankees |title=Righetti Pitcher Matt Sauer Drafted by the New York Yankees | Sports |publisher=Noozhawk.com |date=June 13, 2017 |access-date=September 13, 2017}} He committed to the University of Arizona to play college baseball.{{cite web|url=https://www.perfectgame.org/Players/Playerprofile.aspx?ID=401481|title=Matthew Sauer – Player Profile|publisher=Perfect Game USA|access-date=March 10, 2018}}

=New York Yankees=

The New York Yankees selected Sauer in the second round, with the 54th overall selection, of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite web|last=Hoch |first=Bryan |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/yankees-draft-high-school-pitcher-matt-sauer-c235989406 |title=Yankees draft high school pitcher Matt Sauer | MLB.com |publisher=MLB.com |date=January 20, 2016 |access-date=September 13, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2017/06/mlb_draft_2017_whos_matt_sauer_what_you_must_know.html |title=MLB Draft 2017: Who's Matt Sauer? What you must know about Yankees' 2nd-round pick | Scouting report |date=June 13, 2017 |publisher=NJ.com |access-date=September 13, 2017}} Sauer officially signed with the Yankees on June 24.{{cite web|last=Macklin |first=Oliver |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/yankees-sign-clarke-schmidt-matt-sauer-c238539960 |title=Yankees sign Clarke Schmidt, Matt Sauer | MLB.com |publisher=MLB.com |access-date=September 13, 2017}} and was assigned to the rookie–level Gulf Coast League Yankees, where he spent the whole 2017 season, posting an 0–2 record with a 5.40 ERA in {{fraction|11|2|3}} innings pitched.{{cite web|url=http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=669422#/career/R/pitching/2017/ALL|title=Matt Sauer Stats, Highlights, Bio – MiLB.com Stats – The Official Site of Minor League Baseball|access-date=November 17, 2017}} In 2018, he pitched with the Low–A Staten Island Yankees where he went 3–6 with a 3.90 ERA in 13 starts and 67 innings.{{cite web|url=http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=milb&player_id=669422#/career/R/pitching/2018/ALL|title=Matt Sauer Stats, Highlights, Bio – MiLB.com Stats – The Official Site of Minor League Baseball|publisher=MiLB.com|access-date=November 8, 2018}}

Sauer spent 2019 with the Single–A Charleston RiverDogs, but pitched only {{fraction|8|2|3}} innings due to injury.{{cite web|url=https://www.pinstripedprospects.com/|title=Home|website=Pinstriped Prospects}} He did not play a minor league game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled|title=2020 Minor League Baseball season canceled|website=MLB.com}} Sauer split the 2021 season between the Single–A Tampa Tarpons and the High–A Hudson Valley Renegades, appearing in 23 games (21 starts) and going 5–6 with a 4.69 ERA and 127 strikeouts over {{fraction|111|1|3}} innings.{{cite web|url=https://www.prospects1500.com/al-east/yankees/new-york-yankees-2021-farm-system-review/|title=New York Yankees 2021 Farm System Review|date=October 28, 2021}}

Sauer began the 2022 season with Hudson Valley and was promoted to the Double–A Somerset Patriots in August.{{cite web|url=https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/sports/baseball/patriots/2022/08/13/somerset-patriots-yankees-prospect-matt-sauer-pitcher-promoted/65401784007/ |title=Matt Sauer, Yankees 2017 second-round draft pick, gets long-awaited promotion to Somerset |publisher=Mycentraljersey.com |date= |accessdate=August 27, 2022}} He struck out 17 batters in a game on August 25.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/matt-sauer-strikes-out-17-for-double-a-somerset|title=Yankees prospect notches Minors-high 17 strikeouts in gem|website=MLB.com}} Sauer finished the year making 22 starts and logging a 4.54 ERA with 134 strikeouts across 109 innings pitched.{{Cite web|title=Matt Sauer - Stats - Pitching|url=https://www.fangraphs.com/players/matthew-sauer/sa3005118/stats?position=P|access-date=March 23, 2024|website=fangraphs.com|language=en}} He spent the 2023 season with Somerset also briefly appearing for Hudson Valley, and the rookie–level Florida Complex League Yankees. In 14 games (13 starts) for Somerset, Sauer registered a 6–5 record and 3.41 ERA with 93 strikeouts across 74 innings pitched.{{Cite web|title=New Player Spotlight: Matt Sauer|url=https://farmtofountains.com/new-player-spotlight-matt-sauer/|access-date=March 23, 2024|website=farmtofountains.com|date=February 28, 2024 |language=en}} After the 2023 season, Sauer pitched for the Mesa Solar Sox of the Arizona Fall League.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/yankees-arizona-fall-league-overview-2023 | title=AFL allowing '22 draftee to show Yankees what he's all about | website=MLB.com }}

=Kansas City Royals=

On December 6, 2023, the Kansas City Royals selected Sauer from the Yankees in the Rule 5 draft.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/rule-5-draft-results-2023|title=2023 Rule 5 Draft results: Pick by pick|first=Jonathan|last=Mayo|work=MLB.com|date=December 6, 2023|accessdate=December 6, 2023}} On March 23, 2024, manager Matt Quatraro announced that Sauer had made Kansas City's Opening Day roster{{Cite web|title=Loftin, Blanco, Sauer claim Royals' final roster spots|url=https://www.mlb.com/royals/news/nick-loftin-dairon-blanco-matt-sauer-make-royals-opening-day-roster|access-date=March 23, 2024|website=mlb.com|language=en}} as a relief pitcher who can pitch multiple innings.{{cite web | last=Thompson | first=Jaylon | title=‘It’s been my dream’: Matt Sauer ready to contribute on KC Royals’ big-league roster | website=Kansas City Star | date=March 27, 2024 | url=https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article287125535.html | access-date=February 16, 2025}} In 14 appearances for the Royals, he struggled to a 7.71 ERA with 9 strikeouts across {{fraction|16|1|3}} innings pitched. On May 20, Sauer was designated for assignment following the promotion of Sam Long.{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Steve |date=May 20, 2024 |title=Royals Designate Matt Sauer For Assignment |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/05/royals-designate-matt-sauer-for-assignment.html |access-date=May 20, 2024 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en}}

=New York Yankees (second stint)=

On May 26, 2024, the Royals returned Sauer to the New York Yankees organization. He was subsequently assigned to the Triple–A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.{{Cite web|title=Yankees|url=https://x.com/Yankees/status/1794779378850881975|access-date=May 26, 2024|website=x.com|language=en}} In 27 appearances split between Scranton and the Double–A Somerset Patriots, he accumulated a 3–2 record and 6.12 ERA with 30 strikeouts across {{fraction|32|1|3}} innings pitched. Sauer elected free agency following the season on November 4.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2024/|title=Minor League Free Agents 2024|work=Baseball America|date=November 6, 2024|accessdate=November 6, 2024|first=Matt|last=Eddy}}

=Los Angeles Dodgers=

On December 16, 2024, Sauer signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.{{cite news |title=Righetti's Matt Sauer signs minor league deal with Dodgers |url=https://santamariatimes.com/sports/professional/righettis-matt-sauer-signs-minor-league-deal-with-dodgers-sports-in-brief/article_c54fdaa4-bca4-11ef-bd68-9b4f84e8e746.html |access-date=March 19, 2025 |work=Santa Maria Times |date=December 17, 2024}} He was added to the 40-man roster and called up to the majors on March 18, 2025.{{cite news |title=Dodgers acquire Sauer, option Wrobleski as Kershaw goes on IL |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/44310570/dodgers-select-contract-matt-sauer-option-justin-wrobleski-clayton-kershaw-goes-60-day-il |access-date=March 19, 2025 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=ESPN.com |date=March 18, 2025}}{{cite news |title=Dodgers select Matt Sauer |url=https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/press-release/press-release-dodgers-select-matt-sauer |access-date=March 19, 2025 |publisher=MLB.com |date=March 18, 2025}} However, Sauer did not appear in the one game he was active for in the Tokyo Series and was optioned to the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets to begin the minor league season.{{cite news |title=James Outman demoted to minors despite not playing in Tokyo Series games |url=https://biz.chosun.com/en/en-sports/2025/03/20/WIZ4SBA5VJFLDOL3DPPA5M5534/ |access-date=March 20, 2025 |work=Chosun Biz |date=March 20, 2025}} After one game for the Comets, Sauer made his Dodgers debut on April 7, against the Washington Nationals before returning to the minors the following day.{{cite web|url=https://www.truebluela.com/2025/4/8/24403465/dodgers-roster-justin-wrobleski-matt-sauer|title=Dodgers recall Justin Wrobleski, option Matt Sauer to Triple-A|work=SB Nation|date=April 8, 2025|accessdate=April 8, 2025}} On April 29, Sauer recorded his first career win against the Miami Marlins. The following week, on May 7, he recorded his first career save against the same team. https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/401695350https://www.mlb.com/news/dodgers-evan-phillips-placed-on-injured-list

Personal life

Sauer's parents are David and Tami.{{cite news |last1=Ardaya |first1=Fabian |title=How Matt Sauer got himself onto the Dodgers’ Tokyo travel roster: ‘It was awesome’ |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6186944/2025/03/08/matt-sauer-dodgers-tokyo-roster/ |access-date=March 19, 2025 |work=The Athletic |date=March 8, 2025}}{{cite news |last1=Sewell |first1=Kristina |title=Yankee warrior: Righetti High School graduate Matt Sauer was drafted by the New York Yankees, setting him on the path to the majors |url=https://www.santamariasun.com/news/yankee-warrior-righetti-high-school-graduate-matt-sauer-was-drafted-by-the-new-york-yankees-setting-him-on-the-path-to-the-majors-14801483 |access-date=March 19, 2025 |work=Santa Maria Sun |date=July 28, 2017}} His mother was born on Kadena Air Base in Okinawa. Sauer met his future wife Reagan in middle school, and they also attended the same high school.{{cite news |last1=Alley |first1=Dave |title=From the Central Coast to Major League Baseball, Orcutt native Matt Sauer now living ‘a dream come true’ |url=https://keyt.com/sports/2024/05/16/from-the-central-coast-to-major-league-baseball-orcutt-native-matt-sauer-now-living-a-dream-come-true/ |access-date=March 19, 2025 |publisher=KEYT |date=May 16, 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Cress |first1=Kenny |title=Matt Sauer talks perseverance, faith to Fesler students |url=https://santamariatimes.com/sports/professional/matt-sauer-talks-perseverance-faith-to-fesler-students/article_5c032f96-b8e5-11ef-ab30-bbcf67a3e1b7.html |access-date=March 19, 2025 |date=December 13, 2024}} Sauer is a Christian, and has attributed the strength of his faith to former minor league roommates Gary Whitlock and Glenn Otto.