March 18, 2020, High Point, N.C.- The High Point Rockers have announced the signing of left-handed pitcher Matt Purke. Purke pitched for the Sugar Land Skeeters in 2019. His versatility will be a huge plus for High Point, as will the fact that he joins Drake Owenby as the only two left-handed pitchers on the current roster.

In his first season of Atlantic League play, Purke registered a 5-8 record and 5.62 ERA with Sugar Land, making 13 starts in 31 appearances. Prior to 2019, he had not started a game since 2016, pitching out of the bullpen exclusively in 2017 and 2018.

A former first round draft pick of the Texas Rangers in 2007, Purke instead elected to attend Texas Christian University. Purke was then drafted by the Washington Nationals in the third round of the 2011 draft. Two years later, he notched his best season as a starter, going 6-4 in 18 starts for Hagerstown and Potomac, the A and High-A affiliates for Washington.

Transitioning both to the bullpen and to the American League, Purke continued to ascend through the Minor League ranks, finally getting the call to The Show on May 20, 2016. As a member of the Chicago White Sox, Purke’s debut saw him record a scoreless 1.1 innings while notching his first career strikeout against Royals’ All-Star left fielder Alex Gordon.

In 12 career MLB appearances, Purke owns an 0-1 record with a 5.50 ERA, along with 15 strikeouts in 18 innings.