Bio
Right-hander Matt Ball signed with the Explorers on May 1 after not pitching last season. Ball was originally drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 11th round in 2013 out of Bonita Vista High School in Chula Vista, California. Ball would spend parts of seven seasons with four different Major League organizations. Ball began his career with the Chicago White Sox following the 2013 draft. He would then move on to the Texas Rangers organization following a 2014 trade and then would make a stop with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim system in 2017 after being claimed on waivers. Ball made his final organizational stop with the Cincinnati Reds in 2020.
On December 21, 2020, Ball was signed by the Cincinnati Reds and invited to spring training. He would wind up on the 60-day injured list on May 4, 2021, and then would be released on June 5. The 6’5’’ native of California last pitched in 2020 in the Constellation Energy League working in five games with a pair of starts for the Lighting Sloths. He tossed 10 innings with 14 strikeouts surrendering seven hits and three earned runs good for a 2.70 ERA.
In 2019, Ball split time with the Angels in both AA and AAA. He would pitch a combined 78.2 innings going 1-5 in 22 games making 15 starts. Ball would strikeout 88 on the season with a 5.82 combined ERA adding a 1.551 WHIP. Ball made eight starts at AA Mobile throwing 35.1 innings surrendering 33 hits with 14 earned runs with 45 punch outs and a 3.57 ERA. Ball would work in another 43.1 innings at AAA Salt Lake City where he pitched in 14 games with seven starts. Ball would strike out 43 batters while yielding 48 hits and 28 earned runs with a 1.754 WHIP.
Ball made two stops with the Angels organization in 2018. He went 4-1 with a 3.81 ERA at High A Inland Empire giving up 23 earned runs while recording 55 strikeouts in 54 innings. He would finish fourth on the team in innings pitched while his 13 starts also placed him fourth on the stat sheet. At AA Mobile, Ball tossed 18.2 innings with 13 strike outs allowing 12 earned runs on 22 hits. He would pitch 73 innings combined for the season between both stops going 5-4 with a 4.32 ERA with 68 strikeouts and a 1.164 WHIP.
Ball would join the Angels after he was released by the Texas Rangers on December 14, 2017. His 2017 season was spent at A level Hickory for the Rangers, where he went 0-1 with a 5.67 ERA in 11 games while making five starts. Ball would work in 33.1 innings with a 1.470 WHIP and 38 strikeouts for the Hickory Crawdads. It was his second season in the South Atlantic League where he made two stops in 2016. Ball opened the season by going 0-1 at Kannapolis with a 4.50 ERA in 16 innings of work all in relief as a member of the Chicago White Sox system. The White Sox traded Ball to the Texas Rangers on May 12 where he the rest of the season at Hickory where he went 4-1 in 50.2 innings with a 1.60 ERA in 21 games including three starts and notching three saves. His ERA was the lowest on the club for the season. Ball would strike out 39 while giving up 51 hits and 9 earned runs with a 1.342 WHIP.
With the White Sox organization Ball would spend back-to-back seasons at rookie level Great Falls in 2014 and 2015. In 2015 he would go 2-9 with an 8.16 ERA in 60.2 innings while making 15 starts. His 55 strikeouts was good for third on the team in 2015. Ball would give up 80 hits and 55 earned runs with a 1.879 WHIP. His first season at Great Falls he went 3-6 with a 7.26 ERA in 57 innings with 42 strikeouts. Ball pitching in 14 games making 13 starts for the Voyagers giving up 81 hits and 46 earned runs adding a 1.789 WHIP.
Ball would make his professional debut at 18 years of age at rookie level Bristol in 2013. He went post an 0-1 record with a 4.84 EA in 22.1 innings making 14 appearances out of the pen. He would strike out 23 batters with a 1.478 WHIP while giving up 25 hits and 12 earned runs. Ball hails from Chula Vista, California and was born San Diego.