Scouting Report (via MLB Bonus Baby and Baseball America):
- low 90′s fastball, locates it well
- avg. curveball
- plus changeup with late fade in the zone
- above-average command of all three pitches
- was projected to be 3-5 round pick by Andy Seiler
Pepperdine’s Matt Bywater will benefit from the lack of lefties in this year’s draft. He began the 2010 season in brilliant fashion by pitching a shutout at Cal State Fullerton, shutting down top prospects Gary Brown and Christian Colon in the process. He has continued to pitch well despite a lack of run support from the Pepperdine hitters and led the nation in shutouts while going 5-5, 2.29 overall. Calm and composed, Bywater works at a steady pace, keeps his emotions in control and has a businesslike demeanor on the mound. A poor man’s Brian Matusz, Bywater uses pitching savvy to make up for what he lacks in velocity. He works his 88-89 mph fastball to either side of the plate, and he can get it to run, sink or dip. His curve and change seem to disappear from hitters’ view at the last instant. He shows an advanced ability to mix his pitches, change speeds and locations and vary pitching patterns. Profiling as a mid- to back-of-the-rotation starter or situational lefty, Bywater could move quickly through a club’s system.
Vitals & School:
- Pepperdine
- LHP
- 6′ 2″
- 193 lbs.
- Throws: Left
- Bats: Left
Statistics:
| Year | Age | G | GS | ERA | IP | H | HR | BB | K | WHIP |
| 2008 | 19 | 16 | 14 | 5.54 | 79.2 | 93 | 10 | 41 | 41 | 1.68 |
| 2009 | 20 | 12 | 10 | 3.57 | 63.0 | 50 | 6 | 24 | 66 | 1.17 |
| 2010 | 21 | 13 | 13 | 2.40 | 97.2 | 88 | 4 | 30 | 83 | 1.16 |
More info:
Video:
N/A
Overall Thoughts:
The Orioles were focused on drafting college pitchers early in Klein and Anderson, and Bywater is another example of that. However, he’s the first college pitcher the Orioles took that was a full time starter in college. He’s a lefty who should be a quick sign, and has the chance to move through the system fairly quickly.
