Former Top-5 MLB Draft Pick Passes Away At 37

Former Baltimore Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz, the No. 4 pick in the 2008 MLB draft, has passed away.

He was 37.

“We are devastated to learn of the passing of former Major League pitcher Brian Matusz. Matusz, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2008 MLB Draft, spent a majority of his eight seasons with the Orioles. He won his Major League debut on August 4, 2009, as he gave up just one run in five innings. Matusz pitched in 280 regular season games throughout his career, starting in 69 of them,” MLB said in a statement.

“He pitched for two Orioles’ Postseason teams (2012 and 2014), making seven total Postseason appearances out of the bullpen. He made his last Major League appearance with the Cubs in 2016. He was 37 years old,” it added.

We are devastated to learn of the passing of former Major League pitcher Brian Matusz.

Matusz, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2008 MLB Draft, spent a majority of his eight seasons with the Orioles. He won his Major League debut on August 4, 2009, as he gave up just one run in… pic.twitter.com/40nxZP7KDG

— MLB (@MLB) January 8, 2025

“Our hearts are heavy tonight as we mourn the passing of former Oriole, Brian Matusz. A staple in our clubhouse from 2009-2016, Brian was beloved throughout Birdland, and his passion for baseball and our community was unmatched. He dedicated his time to connecting with any fan he could, was a cherished teammate, and always had a smile on his face,” the Baltimore Orioles stated.

“Brian’s family and loved ones are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time,” the team added.

Our hearts are heavy tonight as we mourn the passing of former Oriole, Brian Matusz.

A staple in our clubhouse from 2009-2016, Brian was beloved throughout Birdland, and his passion for baseball and our community was unmatched. He dedicated his time to connecting with any fan he… pic.twitter.com/wNN3WkO8l4

— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) January 8, 2025

Per ESPN:

No cause of death has been disclosed.

Matusz, who eventually became a reliever, was most known for his success against Hall of Famer David Ortiz, who went 4-for-29 (.138) with 13 strikeouts in his career against Matusz.

He pitched in both the 2012 and 2014 postseasons for the Orioles.

Baltimore traded Matusz, who had a 12.00 ERA in seven games, to the Braves in May 2016, and Atlanta released him a week later. He signed with the Cubs, where he pitched in the minors except for the one big league start. His pitching career ended in 2019.

Matusz originally was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the fourth round in 2005, but he decided to go to the University of San Diego, where he won West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year and was a two-time finalist for the Golden Spikes Award. He finished his college career as the school’s all-time leader in strikeouts, with 396.

Brian Matusz MLB Debut video because we all need it pic.twitter.com/LvgWRrETUI

— Orioles Kangaroo (@ForeverOrioles) January 8, 2025

Ex Baltimore Orioles and Chicago Cubs pitcher Brian Matusz dies suddenly at 37 – cause unknown – 8th Jan 2025 pic.twitter.com/hb392itHBe

— “Sudden And Unexpected” (@toobaffled) January 8, 2025

NBC News reports:

Former Baltimore Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz, a first-round draft pick who won a World Series ring with the Chicago Cubs, was found dead in a Phoenix home, police said Wednesday.

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A cause of death for the 37-year-old was not immediately revealed.

“I can confirm we responded to a dead body call at a home near 44th Street and Campbell Avenue” at about 2:45 p.m. MST on Monday, Phoenix Police Sgt. Phil Krynsky said in a statement to NBC News.

“The deceased person found was indeed 37-year-old Brian Matusz. Currently, this incident is being handled as a death investigation.”

The left-handed hurler played at St. Mary’s High School in Phoenix before heading to University of San Diego, where he was the West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2008.

That standout season led him to be the fourth overall pick of that June’s MLB Draft by Baltimore. He was selected just behind recently retired first baseman Eric Hosmer and ahead of No. 5 pick Buster Posey, a likely Hall of Fame catcher for the San Francisco Giants.

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