But had he run from that tough period of his career, he would have denied himself the opportunity to construct what is now a chance to achieve the realization of an improbable dream. We were like, ‘this is our guy and this guy is going to be at the top of our rotation for the next however many years.’ It was heartbreaking. Enter your email to read this article for free. But while pitching in a few Grapefruit League games as a Minor League extra, the left-hander has at least created reason to question whether he could open the season in Atlanta’s bullpen. In 2017, Matzek … Weiss was there when Matzek enjoyed a celebratory Major League debut against the Braves in 2014, and he was there in ‘16 when the Rockies excused the pitcher from Spring Training with hopes he could overcome the mental demons that had robbed his control. Yeah, I think he got over those yips. This is where Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos found Matzek in 2019, pitching his way back from a case of the yips that nearly derailed his baseball career. All rights reserved. Email connorsmailbag@gmail.com for inclusion in … I want to look back when I’m 70 or 80 years old and say I gave it everything I had. That’s really the only thing that is pushing me. In 2021, Matzek will earn a base salary of $600,500, while carrying a total salary of $600,500. The yips aren’t limited to baseball, either. Especially considering that Matzek was out of major league baseball for nearly five years with performance anxiety or the “yips.” Walt Weiss deserves a lot of credit as well. But despite a five-year absence from pitching in the bigs, 2020 MLB Season, Atlanta Braves, Braves' bullpen, Tyler Matzek, Yips Tyler Matzek signed a 1 year / $600,500 contract with the Atlanta Braves, including $600,500 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $600,500. Matzek entirely lost his command due to these yips. Daniel Bard returned to a big league mound for the first time since 2013 with the Rockies, and Tyler Matzek made it back to the show with the Braves. Or, more precisely, the yips. Tyler Matzek, anxiety, and growing from your past. After years of meeting with various doctors, psychiatrists, and psychologists, Matzek came to the realization perseverance is the best remedy for what is clinically recognized as performance anxiety. He could no longer throw a baseball where he wanted it to go. Some players return but are never the same. Left-hander Tyler Matzek has made a big impact in Atlanta’s bullpen after not seeing Major League action since 2015. I feel like it’s my son out there. “The game was taken away from me for a little while,” Matzek said. He was dealing with not only control problems, but a bout of the ‘yips.’ Bard isn’t the only guy making an unexpected return from the yips, however. “A few years back, I just said I don’t want to be out of baseball,” Matzek said. Martinez. “I’m just happy to be back and have the chance to compete at any level.”. He was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the first round of the 2009 Major League Baseball draft, and made his MLB debut in 2014. Tyler Matzek had quite the comeback season after five years out of the league due to performance anxiety issues, or the “yips.” In 29 innings, he posted a 2.79 ERA, 1.92FIP, 3.00 xFIP, and 1.14 WHIP. Open Article in App. He allowed two runs over seven innings against the Braves that day, striking out seven, and recorded a single off of Julio Teherán. “I’m going to keep going until I get back. But then, Matzek developed the yips, where he had trouble with his control. 2019, the Shot He’s a longshot to begin the season in Atlanta’s bullpen, but his underdog story will be one to follow as the year progresses. By David O'Brien Aug 2, 2020 27 . Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) He struggled with performance anxiety, and it cost him his career. But the yips appeared as Matzek’s throw was very wild and that led to two unearned runs. “When you’re throwing it behind hitters and have no idea where the ball is going as a lefty, that’s usually a pretty good indicator something is wrong,” Matzek said. Or, more precisely, the yips. Daniel Bard, a back-end reliever for the Boston Red Sox with a 100-mph fastball, retired as a result of the yips and seven years later — in 2020 — pitched well and reliably for the Colorado Rockies. I’m just ready to start this next chapter of my career.”. ©2021 The Athletic Media Company. Still, the results weren’t pretty…yet, but were getting better: Texas Airhogs: 6.7 BB/9; With newfound control, repetition allowed Matzek to refocus on pitching again and slowly, his command got better amidst a velocity outbreak. The yips aren't limited to baseball, either. Charles Barkley used to be a decent enough golfer. Tyler Matzek, a reliever for the Atlanta Braves, spent five summers searching for the pitcher he was before the yips. As Matzek posted a 4.05 ERA over 20 starts during his rookie season, he had an 18.1 percent strikeout rate and 8.8 percent walk rate. The former first round pick had gotten a bad case of the yips after a promising debut season for Colorado in 2014. “I’m so proud of this kid,” Weiss said. Tyler Matzek was the 11th overall pick by the Rockies in 2009. The 29-year-old lefty is a … Tyler Matzek‘s journey battling performance anxiety from 2015 to 2020 is a book-worthy story of resilience and determination. It was June 11, 2014 when Tyler Matzek put his name on the map for the Rockies, and as wild as this may be, made his debut against the Braves going 7 innings giving up 2 runs, 5 hits, 7 Ks, and 2 walks. Then, the following season, he made just five starts in the Majors, walking more (19) than he struck out (15) in just 22 innings worth of work. The Yips in Action. Do you have questions or comments for Connor? Daniel Bard returned to a big league mound for the first time since 2013 with the Rockies, and Tyler Matzek made it back to the show with the Braves. As a rookie, Matzek was just 6-11 with a 4.05 ERA in 20 appearances (19 starts) with the Rockies. Tyler Matzek overcame ‘yips,’ and first-place Braves are glad he did. Brothers in arms: Rockies’ Daniel Bard, Braves’ Tyler Matzek battle the yips. The yips were fading and he was chomping at the bit to get back on the mound. Must read content, player grades, stuff you can't get anywhere else. But had he run from that tough period of his career, he would have denied himself the opportunity to construct what is now a chance to achieve the realization of an improbable dream. We’ve heard a lot about Daniel Bard’s return from the yips with the Rockies in the early stages of this season. “I feel comfortable now. Braves left-hander Tyler Matzek didn’t shield his emotions as he clapped into his glove while looking back toward the Reds' dugout after recording three straight strikeouts to escape a 12th-inning threat during Atlanta's 1-0, 13-inning win in Game 1 of the … Monday night, Tyler Matzek, the Rockies’ first-round draft choice in 2009 whose performance anxiety and case of the yips nearly ruined his baseball career, was … I feel that is over with. TAMPA, Fla. -- Tyler Matzek could have walked away from baseball when his seemingly promising career was wrecked by performance anxiety. Instead of being a candidate for the MVP award, which eventually went to George Springer, Matzek … His career numbers aren’t horrendous or anything, but the yips forced him out of the majors after 2015 when he posted a 7.8 BB/9 with a 4.09 ERA. Read the full story on www.denverpost.com. It’s a mental block. New, 18 comments. By the time Matzek spent some time with the Air Hogs last summer and then signed with the Braves near the end of the season, he felt he was finally right both physically and mentally. Ian Anderson, like Matzek… Matzek, once a reliever for the Rockies, is now a key contributor to the Atlanta Braves bullpen after dealing with the yips. Matzek was the 11th overall pick by the Colorado Rockies in 2009, Matzek was once considered as the Rockies top prospect. Brothers in arms: Rockies’ Daniel Bard, Braves’ Tyler Matzek battle the yips Wildness had plagued both first-round pitchers. Braves Pitcher Tyler Matzek is one of very few pitchers to overcome the yips. I don’t want to look in the mirror and be upset with any decision that I made.”. Given where things stood with his control over the past few years, it’s important to note Matzek has not issued a walk while totaling 3 2/3 scoreless innings in three Grapefruit League appearances. “I was there during some of his darkest days and it was really tough. He was optioned to Triple-A after five starts and continued to be doomed by the yips. Two players made comebacks from the yips during the 2020 season, both relievers. “But I’ll tell you what, watching him in the outings he’s had for us this spring, I’ve been like a little kid just watching him. Just watching him perform and do well, it’s just unbelievable.”. After disappearing from professional baseball for a few years, he re-emerged with the Atlanta Braves in 2020 and pitched extremely well. Matzek’s decision to persevere has reunited him with Braves bench coach Walt Weiss, who managed the lefty with the Rockies. He’s a great kid, which made it that much tougher. But there may have been even more reason to be excited on March 1, when the 29-year-old hurler struck out four of five batters faced over 1 2/3 scoreless innings against the Red Sox. He finally made his MLB debut on June 11, 2014, against the Atlanta Braves, Matzek went 7 innings only allowing 2 runs and striking out 7. It’s baseball’s version of extreme anxiety and it kept Matzek out of baseball for over two years. Five years removed from his most recent Major League experience and just six months removed from a second independent league stint with the Texas Air Hogs, Matzek is a feel-good story in Braves camp. Or, more precisely, the yips. He felt he had overcome the yips when he went to Spring Training with the D-backs last year. Rockies left-hander Tyler Matzek received a record-setting investment 3.9 million dollar after the team drafted him in the First Round in 2009… but accuracy problems have haunted the highly-touted prospect. Tyler Matzek could have walked away from baseball when his seemingly promising career was wrecked by performance anxiety. The two men share this: a deep love of the game and a maddening inability to throw strikes that derailed both of their careers. The throwing yips are the most likely cause of Matzek’s failure to locate his pitches. During 2015 spring training with the Colorado Rockies, pitcher Tyler Matzek suddenly and inexplicably stopped being able to do what he had been able to do for as long as he could remember. Colorado Rockies fans are well aware of the past struggles of Tyler Matzek. Tyler Matzek – LHP. He replaced Mike Foltynewicz in the second inning and promptly ended a threat by striking out Rafael Devers and J.D. Unfortunately, Matzek had dealt with what is known as the “yips” in this long stretch of time. Matzek left the Rockies at the end of the 2016 season. Tyler Alexander Matzek (born October 19, 1990) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). The yips are a primarily psychological affliction not uncommon in baseball that, according to some experts, often comes for those who care the most. So, it’s understandable why Weiss was filled with joy when he saw Matzek pitch 1 1/3 scoreless innings during his spring debut against the Blue Jays on Feb. 25. But had he run from that tough period of The defense behind Tyler Matzek only 14 months ago wasn’t quite as airtight as the one he currently enjoys with the Braves. A first-round pick of the Colorado Rockies in 2009, Matzek had a promising rookie year in the major leagues before suffering from the “yips” and basically forgetting how to pitch. Mark Bowman of MLB.com spoke to Tyler Matzek, who is attempting a comeback after some time in the proverbial wilderness. TAMPA, Fla. -- Tyler Matzek could have walked away from baseball when his seemingly promising career was wrecked by performance anxiety. With his career back on track, it's time to cheer for him to get a ring. Will Smith was the next highest with 19. Braves: For Tyler Matzek, success has been a long time coming Braves Very few pitchers ever recover from the yips or at least make it back to the majors. I was there when he debuted and there was so much promise. But his control suddenly disappeared the next season, when he either hit or walked 21.6 percent of 102 batters faced. Spotlight: Tyler Matzek. Tyler Matzek. The yips afflicts pitchers, catchers, infielders and can be overcome or potentially career ending. The former first-round pick (selected by Colorado in 2009) was not even extended a non-roster invite. Subscribe now to get full access to the new sports page. Tyler Matzek overcame ‘yips,’ and first-place Braves are glad he did. But he needed time to fix mechanical flaws from many years spent fighting to regain his control. Taken by the Rockies with the 11th overall pick in the 2009 MLB Draft, Matzek spent a couple of years regarded as a top prospect and struggled a bit before debuting on June 11, 2014. Already have the app? Lefty Tyler Matzek was the only one to throw more than 20 pitches (24). Since, he’s been all over the place, including some independent leagues after playing just two official seasons in the MLB.