Bryan Mata

Bryan Mata
Mata pitching in the All-Star Futures Game in 2018
Yomiuri Giants – No. 42
Pitcher
Born: (1999-05-03) May 3, 1999
Maracay, Venezuela
Bats: Right
Throws: Right

Bryan Eduardo Mata (born May 3, 1999) is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher for the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). Listed at 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) and 160 pounds (73 kg), he bats and throws right-handed.

Career

Boston Red Sox

Mata signed with the Boston Red Sox as an international free agent in January 2016 for a $25,000 signing bonus.[1] He made his professional debut that summer for the Dominican Summer League Red Sox and spent all the whole season there, compiling a 4–4 record, a 2.80 ERA, and a 1.20 WHIP in 14 games started. In 2017, he played for the Single–A Greenville Drive where he posted a 5–6 record with a 3.74 ERA in 17 starts.[2]

MLB.com ranked Mata as Boston's fourth best prospect going into the 2018 season.[3] Playing for the High–A Salem Red Sox, Mata was the sole Boston prospect selected to the 2018 All-Star Futures Game,[4] where he pitched an inning of scoreless relief, allowing one hit while walking one and striking out one.[5] In 17 starts for Salem, Mata was 6–3 with a 3.50 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP.[2]

Mata started the 2019 season with Salem,[2] and was promoted to the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs on July 1.[6] Overall with both teams during the season, Mata compiled a 7–7 record with 3.43 ERA and 111 strikeouts in 105 innings.[2] After the 2020 minor league season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mata was invited to participate in the Red Sox' fall instructional league.[7] Following the 2020 season, Mata was ranked by Baseball America as the Red Sox' number four prospect.[8]

On November 20, 2020, Mata was added to Boston's 40-man roster in order to be protected from the Rule 5 draft.[9] During 2021 spring training, he sustained a slight UCL tear.[10] On April 13, 2021, Mata underwent Tommy John surgery, ending his 2021 season.[11] Mata began the 2022 season on the injured list in Triple-A with the Worcester Red Sox.[12] He resumed pitching in May in extended spring training,[13] and played in a minor-league game for the first time in over two years in early June.[14] With four different teams during 2022, Mata pitched in 19 games (18 starts) while compiling a 2.49 ERA in 83 innings with a 7–3 record.[15]

Mata spent 2023 in Triple-A with Worcester, compiling an 0–3 record in nine games (seven starts) with a 6.33 ERA in 27 innings pitched in which he gave up 30 walks and had 28 strikeouts.[15] Following the 2023 regular season, he played in the Arizona Fall League, where he gave up eight earned runs in nine innings.[16][17] Mata spent much of the first half of the 2024 season on the injured list due to hamstring and shoulder issues.[18] He was transferred to the team's 60-day injured list on July 26.[19] Mata was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on November 19.[20] On November 22, the Red Sox non–tendered Mata, making him a free agent.[21] He re–signed with the organization on a minor-league contract the same day.[22]

Mata began the 2025 season with Worcester. In mid-June, upon the Red Sox trading Rafael Devers, Mata became the longest-tenured player in the Red Sox organization.[23] He made 42 total appearances for Worcester, compiling a 3-3 record and 5.08 ERA with 93 strikeouts and two saves across 67+1⁄3 innings pitched. Mata elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2025.[24]

Yomiuri Giants

On December 9, 2025, Mata signed with the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball.[25]

References

  1. ^ "2018 Red Sox top prospect voting: Bryan Mata is looking for his second breakout". Over the Monster. January 30, 2018. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d "Bryan Mata Stats, Highlights, Bio". MiLB.com. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  3. ^ "2018 Prospect Watch". MLB.com. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  4. ^ Callis, Jim (July 6, 2018). "Mata to play in Futures Game". MLB.com. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  5. ^ "World Futures vs. U.S. Futures Box Score". MLB.com. July 15, 2018. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
  6. ^ Smith, Christopher (July 1, 2019). "Boston Red Sox prospect Bryan Mata (1.75 ERA, 95-98 mph fastball) promoted to Double-A Portland". masslive.com. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
  7. ^ Hatfield, Chris (October 4, 2020). "Red Sox 2020 Fall Instructional Camp roster and details". SoxProspects.com. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  8. ^ Speier, Alex (November 12, 2020). "Ranking the top prospects in the Red Sox' farm system". The Boston Globe. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
  9. ^ Adams, Steve (November 20, 2020). "Red Sox Add 7 Players To 40-Man Roster; Weber, Hall Designated For Assignment". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  10. ^ Abraham, Peter [@PeteAbe] (March 6, 2021). "Bryan Mata has a slight UCL tear. #RedSox are trying treatment as opposed to surgery at this stage" (Tweet). Retrieved March 10, 2021 – via Twitter.
  11. ^ Steve Adams (April 14, 2021). "Red Sox Prospect Bryan Mata Undergoes Tommy John Surgery". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  12. ^ Callis, Jim (April 6, 2022). "Here's where Red Sox Top 30 prospects are starting '22". MLB.com. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  13. ^ Speier, Alex (May 19, 2022). "Red Sox prospect Bryan Mata hits 100 m.p.h. in competitive return from Tommy John surgery". The Boston Globe. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  14. ^ Speier, Alex (June 5, 2022). "Red Sox pitching prospect Bryan Mata throws two hitless innings in first appearance in almost three years". The Boston Globe. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  15. ^ a b "Bryan Mata Minor & Fall League Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  16. ^ "Bryan Mata," Baseball Reference.
  17. ^ Rabasco, Nick (October 3, 2023). "Minor Notes: Drive win SAL title; Arizona Fall League begins". soxprospects.com. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  18. ^ Abraham, Peter (July 2, 2024). "Red Sox Notebook: Mata struggles for WooSox". The Boston Globe. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  19. ^ "Red Sox's Bryan Mata: Shifts to 60-day IL". CBS Sports. July 26, 2024. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  20. ^ "Red Sox Designate Bryan Mata, Isaiah Campbell For Assignment". mlbtraderumors.com. November 19, 2024. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  21. ^ "Red Sox cut former top pitching prospect loose at non-tender deadline". bostonherald.com. November 23, 2024. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  22. ^ "Red Sox Re-Sign Bryan Mata, Isaiah Campbell To Minor League Deals". mlbtraderumors.com. November 22, 2024. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  23. ^ Speier, Alex (July 4, 2025). "Bryan Mata is now the longest-tenured player in the Red Sox organization, and he remains motivated to become a big leaguer". The Boston Globe. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
  24. ^ "Minor League Free Agents 2025". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  25. ^ https://x.com/GaijinBaseball/status/1998539048139571539
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