Matt Capps
Free Agent — No. --
Relief pitcher
Born: September 3, 1983 (1983-09-03) (age 26) Douglasville, Georgia
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 16, 2005 for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Career statistics (through 2009)
Win-Loss	19-19
Earned run average	3.61
Strikeouts	208
Saves	67
Teams
Pittsburgh Pirates (2005-2009)

Matthew Dicus Capps (born September 3, 1983 in Douglasville, Georgia), nicknamed "The Mad Capper," is a Major League Baseball free agent closer. He is a 2002 graduate of Alexander High School in Douglasville, where he lettered in football, basketball, cross-country and baseball before receiving a scholarship at LSU. He possesses a noteworthy changeup and a 95 mph (153 km/h) fastball, and has excellent command of both.

Contents 1 Professional career 1.1 2005 1.2 2006 1.3 2007 1.4 2008 1.5 2009 1.6 2010 2 See also 3 References 4 External links

[edit] Professional career

Capps was drafted by the Pirates in the 7th round of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft. He was a starting pitcher until 2004, never advancing above A-level in the minor leagues.

[edit] 2005

In 2005, he was converted to a relief pitcher and his career took off. Though he started the season at A-level Hickory, he was promoted mid-season to the AA Altoona Curve and later to the AAA Indianapolis Indians for the International League playoffs. After Indianapolis's season ended, he was promoted to the Pirates on September 16 and made his debut that night.

[edit] 2006

The beginning of the 2006 season saw Capps break spring training with the Pirates. At first, Capps saw time only in safe situations, but, as the season wore on, he established himself as one of the most consistent and effective relievers in the Pittsburgh bullpen. Although only a rookie, Capps saw a lot of appearances as the Pirates' set-up man to closers Mike González and Salomón Torres.

In 85 games during the 2006 season, Capps pitched a total of 80.2 innings, striking out 56 batters, while only allowing 81 hits and 37 runs, for an ERA of 3.79. Capps posted a team best 9-1 record out of the bullpen, while mixing in 13 holds and 1 save. He led all Major League rookie pitchers in appearances.

[edit] 2007

Capps began his second major league season as the sole eighth inning set-up man to Torres, and through the beginning of June, he was among Major League Baseball's leaders in holds. On June 1, manager Jim Tracy announced that Capps would replace Torres as the Pirates closer. One day later, Capps recorded his first save of the season—the second of his career. This was the kick start to his new role as the Pirates' closer. It was also the time they decided to add an extra 11 minutes to his PNC entrance video.

[edit] 2008

Capps started the 2008 season by earning 15 consecutive saves, before blowing his first save of the season on June 10. He ended the season with 21 saves and five blown saves.

In July, Capps was placed on the disabled list after suffering from arm soreness. He missed nearly two months of action while he rehabbed at the Pirates' spring training facility in Bradenton, Florida.

[edit] 2009

In 2009, Capps converted 27 of 32 save opportunities, with a 5.80 ERA. He allowed 73 hits and 35 earned runs in 54.1 innings pitched. Capps was not tendered a contract by the Pirates on December 12 and became a free agent.

[edit] 2010

On December 24, 2009, Capps agreed to a 1 year deal with the Washington Nationals where he will compete to be the teams closer. The deal is pending a physical which he will take the first week of January.^[1]

[edit] See also

• List of Major League Baseball all-time saves leaders

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference