Pitt alum and Erie, Pennsylvania native Issac Mattson, a 25-year old right-handed pitcher, has joined a Major League roster for the first time in his professional baseball career. Mattson, the former 19th-round pick by the Los Angeles Angels was called up to Baltimore’s active roster from the team’s alternate site in Bowie, Maryland and will wear No. 60.
Mattson arrived at the Baltimore organization in December 2019 as part of a trade with Los Angeles for veteran starter Dylan Bundy. The Orioles picked up four players, including Mattson, in the deal.
His call up fills the hole made by left-hander Bruce Zimmerman’s option to Double-A Bowie.
Over three years at Pitt, Mattson appeared in 60 games, almost exclusively making his appearances as a reliever. His best season was his last. In 2017, Mattson made 21 appearances, tallied a career-high and team best in ERA, held opponents to a .227 batting average and recorded four saves.
Mattson has spent the four years since being drafted winding his way through the Angel’s farm system. After rookie ball, he went to High-A and climbed briefly to Triple-A in 2019 before playing most of the season in Double-A Mobile.
Most recently, he made seven appearances for the Mesa Solar Sox of the Arizona Fall League. Mattson posted a 1.69 ERA and walked just one over 10 ⅓ innings over the course of the 2019 fall.
The Orioles are in Seattle tonight for the second of a three-game set with the Mariners. Baltimore took game one First pitch is scheduled for 10:10 p.m.
