• Full name Matthew Scott Welker
  • Born 02/10/1986 in Kirkland, WA
  • Profile Ht.: 6'7" / Wt.: 240 / Bats: L / Throws: R
  • School Arkansas
  • Debut 06/23/2013
  • Drafted in the 2nd round (68th overall) by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2007 (signed for $477,000).
    View Draft Report
    Welker has the most projection remaining in an all-prospect rotation at Arkansas that also includes Nick Schmidt and Jess Todd. His 6-foot-7, 221-pound frame allows him to throw downhill, making his 91-92 mph fastball that much more difficult to hit. He does a good job of pitching off his fastball and backing it up with an improved curveball and a changeup. He has a smooth delivery for a big pitcher and repeats it well. Maintaining his confidence is key, as he otherwise tends to nibble at the strike zone and lose effectiveness. Rated the No. 2 prospect in the Alaska League last summer behind projected first-rounder Casey Weathers of Vanderbilt, Welker joined the Razorbacks after two seasons at Seminole State (Okla.) Junior College. He pitched just 20 innings in 2004-05, missing most of his high school senior year with a strained back and having arthroscopic shoulder surgery to repair a frayed labrum as a freshman at Seminole State.

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