Matt West (baseball)

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Matt West

| position = Pitcher

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1988|11|21}}

| birth_place = Houston, Texas, U.S.

| bats = Right

| throws = Right

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = July 10

| debutyear = 2014

| debutteam = Texas Rangers

| debut2league = NPB

| debut2date = May 3

| debut2year = 2017

| debut2team = Orix Buffaloes

| finalleague = MLB

| finaldate = June 21

| finalyear = 2015

| finalteam = Los Angeles Dodgers

| final2league= NPB

| final2date = May 5

| final2year = 2017

| final2team = Orix Buffaloes

| statleague = MLB

| stat1label = Win–loss record

| stat1value = 0–0

| stat2label = Earned run average

| stat2value = 3.86

| stat3label = Strikeouts

| stat3value = 5

| stat2league = NPB

| stat21label = Win–loss record

| stat21value = 0-0

| stat22label = Earned run average

| stat22value = 4.50

| stat23label = Strikeouts

| stat23value = 0

| teams =

Texas Rangers ({{mlby|2014}})
Los Angeles Dodgers ({{mlby|2015}})
Orix Buffaloes ({{baseball year|2017}})

|awards =

}}

Matthew Robert O'Neil West (born November 21, 1988) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Playing career

=Texas Rangers=

West was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the second round of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft out of Bellaire High School, where he was a three-year All-District player.{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=519411#gameType='R'§ionType=career&statType=2&season=2015&level='MLB'|title=Matt West bio|work=mlb.com}} Originally an infielder, he began his professional career with the Arizona League Rangers and hit .301 in 29 games.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=west--002mat|title=Matt West minor league statistics & history|work=Baseball Reference}} Near the end of the season, he was suspended for 50 games for testing positive for a "performance-enhancing substance."{{cite web|url=http://www.lonestarball.com/2007/8/30/114225/985|title=2007 draftee Matt West suspended|first=Adam J.|last=Morris|work=SB Nation|date=August 30, 2007|access-date=May 4, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.milb.com/gen/articles/printer_friendly/milb/y2007/m08/d30/c296863.jsp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505021147/http://www.milb.com/gen/articles/printer_friendly/milb/y2007/m08/d30/c296863.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 5, 2015|title=West suspended for 50 games|work=Minor League Baseball|date=August 30, 2007|first=T.R.|last=Sullivan|access-date=May 4, 2015}} The suspension continued into the following season and when he returned he was assigned to the Spokane Indians of the short-season Northwest League, where he hit .258 in 67 games. He spent the next two seasons with the Hickory Crawdads of the South Atlantic League, hitting only .229 in 250 games with 18 homers and 103 RBI.

Because of his poor hitting stats and perceived arm strength the Rangers chose to convert him to a pitcher prior to the 2011 season.{{cite web |url=http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111118&content_id=26002452¬ebook_id=26002454&vkey=notebook_tex&c_id=tex |title=Texas adds Perez, five more to 40-man roster |publisher=Texas.rangers.mlb.com |date=November 18, 2011 |access-date=March 25, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214222416/http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111118&content_id=26002452¬ebook_id=26002454&vkey=notebook_tex&c_id=tex |archive-date=December 14, 2013 |url-status=dead }} He pitched in 23 games for Spokane in 2011 and was 1–2 with a 3.12 ERA and nine saves. He was added to the Rangers 40-man roster after the season. In 2012, he appeared in 17 games for the High–A Myrtle Beach Pelicans of the Carolina League. He was 0–3 with a 6.64 ERA before he was shut down with arm injuries. It was revealed that he had torn the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and had to undergo Tommy John surgery, which cause him to miss the 2013 season. He began 2014 with the Double–A Frisco RoughRiders of the Texas League and was promoted to the Triple–A Round Rock Express of the Pacific Coast League. In 41 combined games, he was 5–3 with a 3.35 ERA and also made one start.

West was promoted to the Majors on July 10, 2014, and pitched two scoreless innings in his debut against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Overall, he appeared in three MLB games, working four innings and allowing three runs.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?id=westma03&t=p&year=|title=Matt West 2014 pitching gamelogs|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=May 4, 2015}}

=Toronto Blue Jays=

West was designated for assignment by the Rangers on January 5, 2015,{{cite news|title=Rangers sign free agent infielder Adam Rosales to one-year contract|url=http://m.rangers.mlb.com/news/article/105599498/rangers-sign-free-agent-infielder-adam-rosales-to-one-year-contract|access-date=January 15, 2015|work=MLB.com|date=January 5, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150106040228/http://m.rangers.mlb.com/news/article/105599498/rangers-sign-free-agent-infielder-adam-rosales-to-one-year-contract|archive-date=January 6, 2015}} and claimed by the Toronto Blue Jays nine days later.{{cite news|title=Blue Jays claim right-hander West off waivers from Rangers|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=12168555|access-date=January 15, 2015|agency=Associated Press|work=ESPN.com|date=January 14, 2015}} He was invited to spring training and sent to minor league camp on March 14.{{cite news|last1=Chisholm|first1=Gregor|title=Blue Jays cut five pitchers from big league camp|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/112754020/toronto-blue-jays-cut-five-pitchers-from-big-league-camp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317191257/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/112754020/toronto-blue-jays-cut-five-pitchers-from-big-league-camp|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 17, 2015|access-date=July 16, 2015|work=MLB.com|date=May 14, 2015}} West was sent to the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats on April 6.{{cite news|title=Fisher Cats Announce 2015 Preliminary Roster|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-116554322|access-date=July 16, 2015|publisher=Minor League Baseball|date=April 6, 2015}} On May 2, he was designated for assignment by Toronto.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-send-pompey-albers-to-triple-a-buffalo/|title=Blue Jays send Pompey, Albers to triple-A Buffalo|last=Singh|first=David|work=Sportsnet|date=May 2, 2015|access-date=May 2, 2015}} He had pitched 12.1 scoreless innings in seven games for the Fisher Cats.

=Los Angeles Dodgers=

West was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for cash considerations on May 4, 2015 and assigned to the Double–A Tulsa Drillers.{{cite news|last1=Gurnick|first1=Ken|title=Ryu moved to 60-day DL|url=http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/122299228/dodgers-move-hyun-jin-ryu-to-60-day-dl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506210613/http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/122299228/dodgers-move-hyun-jin-ryu-to-60-day-dl|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 6, 2015|access-date=July 16, 2015|work=MLB.com|date=May 4, 2015}}{{cite news|title=Blue Jays trade West to Dodgers|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/122301622|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716112105/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/122301622|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 16, 2015|access-date=July 16, 2015|work=MLB.com|date=May 4, 2015}} He was later promoted to the Triple–A Oklahoma City Dodgers on May 27.{{cite web|url=http://www.truebluela.com/2015/5/28/8676309/cody-bellinger-yasmani-grandal-dodgers-minor-leagues|title=Quakes' bats, catchers' tempers heat up on Wednesday evening|first=David|last=Hood|work=SB Nation|date=May 28, 2015|access-date=May 31, 2015}} He was called up to the majors by the Dodgers on May 31{{cite news|last1=Cobb|first1=David|title=Dodgers place lefty Rodriguez on 15-day DL|url=http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/127718518/dodgers-place-pitcher-paco-rodriguez-on-15-day-dl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150603233924/http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/127718518/dodgers-place-pitcher-paco-rodriguez-on-15-day-dl|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 3, 2015|access-date=July 16, 2015|work=MLB.com|date=May 31, 2015}}{{cite news|last1=Hernandez|first1=Dylan|title=Dodgers place Paco Rodriguez on the disabled list|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/dodgersnow/la-sp-dn-dodgers-paco-rodriguez-disabled-list-20150531-story.html|access-date=July 16, 2015|work=Los Angeles Times|date=May 31, 2015}} but was optioned back to the minors the following day without appearing in a game.{{cite news|last1=Dilbeck|first1=Steve|title=Dodgers call up LHP David Huff; Zach Lee won't get spot start|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/dodgersnow/la-sp-dn-call-up-huff-20150601-story.html|access-date=July 16, 2015|work=Los Angeles Times|date=June 1, 2015}}{{cite news|title=Dodgers Select the Contract of David Huff, Option Matt West|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/dodgers-select-the-contract-of-david-huff-option-matt-west/c-127961338|access-date=July 16, 2015|work=MLB.com|date=June 1, 2015}} He was designated for assignment on July 11.{{cite news|title=Dodgers Reinstate Brandon Beachy, Option Josh Ravin|url=http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/136155544|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716104715/http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/136155544|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 16, 2015|access-date=July 16, 2015|work=MLB.com|date=July 11, 2015}} He appeared in 26 games in the minors for the Dodgers organization in 2015 with a 0.56 ERA for the Double-A Tulsa Drillers and a 7.83 ERA for Triple-A Oklahoma City. He also pitched in three innings over two games for the Dodgers, without allowing an earned run.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?id=westma03&t=p&year=2015|title=Matt West 2015 Pitching Gamelogs|work=Baseball Reference}} He was given a non-roster invitation to Dodgers spring training in 2016.{{cite web|url=http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/162799574/julio-urias-a-dodgers-non-roster-invitee|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126090924/http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/162799574/julio-urias-a-dodgers-non-roster-invitee|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 26, 2016|title=Top pitching prospects invited to Dodgers camp|work=mlb.com|first=Andrew|last=Simon|date=January 25, 2016|access-date=January 26, 2016}} In 39 games for Oklahoma City in 2016, he was 3–0 with a 2.33 ERA. The Dodgers released West on September 1, 2016.

=Orix Buffaloes=

On December 13, 2016, West signed with the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball.{{cite web|url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/12/minor-mlb-transactions-121316.html|title=Minor MLB Transactions: 12/13/16|last=Todd|first=Jeff|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=December 13, 2016|access-date=December 13, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.sanspo.com/baseball/news/20161213/buf16121319130004-n1.html|title=オリ、ディクソンとモレルが残留新外国人３投手も獲得|work=sanspo.com|language=Japanese|date=December 13, 2016|access-date=December 13, 2016}}

On December 2, 2017, he became free agent.{{cite web|url=http://npb.jp/announcement/2017/pn_released.html |title=2017年度自由契約選手 |work=NPB.jp 日本野球機構 |language=Japanese |date=December 2, 2017 |access-date=January 16, 2018}}

=Sugar Land Skeeters=

On January 24, 2018, West signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers.{{cite web|title=Tigers' Matt West: Signs minor league deal with Tigers|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/tigers-matt-west-signs-minor-league-deal-with-tigers/|date=January 24, 2018}} He was released on March 28, 2018.

On May 17, 2018, West signed with the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He re-signed with the team for the 2019 season.

On December 2, 2019, West signed with the Olmecas de Tabasco of the Mexican League for the 2020 season. However, the season was later canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In July 2020, West signed on to play for the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Constellation Energy League (a makeshift 4-team independent league created as a result of the pandemic) for the 2020 season. On April 2, 2021, the Olmecas released West.{{cite web

|url=http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=l_trn&lid=125|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905082652/http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=l_trn&lid=125|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 5, 2015|title=Mexican League Transactions|website=Minor League Baseball}}

Coaching career

On October 12, 2023, West was hired as the pitching coach for Arizona Christian University.{{Cite web|title=New Additions, MLB Ties On 2024 Coaching Staff|url=https://acufirestorm.com/news/2023/10/12/baseball-new-additions-mlb-ties-on-2024-coaching-staff.aspx|access-date=April 22, 2024|website=acufirestorm.com|date=October 12, 2023 |language=en}}