(Sugar Land, Texas, March 15, 2019) - The Skeeters today announced that they’ve re-signed former Major Leaguer Matt West.
West, 30, joined the Skeeters in May 2018 and was 0-0 with a 0.54 ERA in 17 relief appearances, striking out 19 batters to two walks in 16 ⅔ innings. West threw 13 straight scoreless innings to open his Skeeters career, which was the longest scoreless streak by a Skeeters reliever last season. His 9.50 strikeout-to-walk ratio was third-best of Skeeters pitchers with at least 15 innings pitched last season.
The Houston native was selected by the Texas Rangers in the second round of the 2007 MLB Draft out of Bellaire High School (Bellaire, Texas). He made his Major League debut with the Rangers in 2014 and appeared with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2015. West is 0-0 with a 3.86 ERA through five games (7 IP) in his MLB career.
West last appeared at the affiliated level in 2016 with Triple-A Oklahoma City (LAD). Along with the Dodgers and Rangers, West also appeared at the affiliated level with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2015 with Double-A New Hampshire. Prior to joining the Skeeters in 2018, his last professional appearance came with the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball in 2017.
Through eight seasons at the professional level, West is 12-11 with a 3.45 ERA and 20 saves in in 192 games (three starts), averaging 9.0 strikeouts-per-nine-innings.
The Skeeters, winners of the 2018 Atlantic League Championship, open the 2019 season on April 25 at Constellation Field against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. Season tickets and mini plans for the 2019 season are currently available and individual tickets will soon be made available. To purchase season tickets or mini plans, or for more information on ticketing, please visit sugarlandskeeters.com or call the TDECU Ticket Office at 281-240-4487.
Visit SugarLandSkeeters.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@SL_Skeeters) for all the latest team news and the latest on events to be hosted at Constellation Field.
About the Sugar Land Skeeters
The Skeeters play at Constellation Field, a state-of-the-art stadium located at the intersection of State Highway 6 and U.S. Highway 90A in Sugar Land. The Skeeters are a member of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) and play 140 regular season games. The Skeeters Baseball Foundation promotes youth education and healthy activities lifestyles by providing support to culturally, racially and economically diverse areas of the community. For more information please call 281-240-4487 or visit sugarlandskeeters.com.
About The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
With eight teams in Texas and the Mid-Atlantic, the ALPB is a leader in baseball innovation and a player gateway to Major League Baseball. Through its exclusive partnership with MLB, the Atlantic League tests Major League Baseball rules and equipment initiatives. The Atlantic League has sent over 900 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 40 million fans to its affordable, family-friendly ballparks throughout its 22-year history.
For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.
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