The Baltimore Orioles drafted right-handed pitcher Matthias Dietz in the second round of the 2016 MLB Draft last June, and after a rough debut season, he was in need of a bounce back year in 2017. Thus far, the righty has done just the opposite struggling mightily to begin the season.
Dietz, 21, was considered by most scouts to be the most talented Junior College pitcher in the draft last summer and the O’s snagged him in the second round out of John A. Logan CC (Illinois).
After signing, Dietz went to the Short-season A Aberdeen Ironbirds to join several other players who were drafted out of college, but unfortunately, he did not have the best of debut seasons.
Dietz struggled with his command constantly and saw just under two (1.71) guys reach base per inning. Overall he went 0-3 with a 4.82 ERA and a 1.71 WHIP over seven starts and 18.2 innings pitched. He allowed 14 runs (10 earned) on 22 hits and walked 10, while striking out eight. Batters in the New York-Penn League hit .306 against Dietz.
Unlike fellow 2016 draftees Cody Sedlock and Keegan Akin, Dietz did not get moved straight to High-A Frederick, but instead began this season with the Low-A Delmarva Shorebirds.
Unfortunately for Dietz, 2017 has began even worse than 2016 ended.
Through his first two starts this season for the Shorebirds, Dietz is 0-1 with a 15.88 ERA and a 2.12 WHIP over just 5.2 innings pitched. He has already allowed 10 earned runs on seven hits, five walks and has also hit a batter.
Command continues to be a problem as he has already walked five and has needed 132 pitches to get through his 5.2 innings pitched. He has thrown 76 of his 132 pitches for strikes.
There is still a lot of time left in the season obviously, and plenty of time for Dietz to right the ship, but the Orioles have to be concerned a bit by what they have seen from Dietz to this point.
By: Josh Michael
Founder/Editor BabyBirdland
