Early Life & MLB Journey
Phillip Louis Maton III (born March 25, 1993) is a right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB). He was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 20th round of the 2015 MLB Draft after playing college baseball for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs.
Maton made his MLB debut on June 11, 2017, for the Padres. Over his career, he has played for multiple teams: the Padres, Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros, Tampa Bay Rays, New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals, and Texas Rangers.
Fangraphs / Advanced Metrics & Analytics Profile
While Maton may not light up the radar with blazing fastball velocity, his success lies in pitch movement, spin, and control.
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His fastball sits in the lower velocity range (around 89 mph), but he makes it work with excellent spin and deception.
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One of his standout pitches is his curveball, which he throws often and with high effectiveness. In 2025, his curve usage was significant (~35% of his pitches), and batters struggled to hit well off it.
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According to advanced scouting, his cutter (or cut fastball) moves well and he also has a sweeper and a sinker in his arsenal.
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Despite modest velocity, Maton induces a high rate of whiffs (swings and misses). His whiff-rate and strikeout numbers are strong, in part because of his spin-friendly pitch profile.
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Command can be volatile: he has had issues with walks, especially on his sweeper.
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Maton’s durability and availability are often praised — he has consistently pitched 60+ innings in recent seasons, which is valuable for a reliever.
MLB Performance & Impact
Maton is not a traditional fireball reliever, but he brings craftiness, consistency, and reliability. According to the Cardinals, his curveball is one of his most potent weapons.
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In high-leverage spots, he often thrives by mixing pitches intelligently rather than overpowering hitters.
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His career strikeout total (as of 2025) is 539, and his career earned run average (ERA) is ~3.98.
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He’s valued for his durability, having made many appearances across multiple seasons.
Salary & Contract History
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In 2024, Maton signed a 1-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays for US$6.5 million, which included a club option for 2025.
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In March 2025, he agreed to a one-year, US$2 million deal with the St. Louis Cardinals.
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According to ESPN reports, he reached a two-year deal with the Chicago Cubs later, with a club option for a third year.
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As per a salary tracker, in some years he made around US$2.55 million, per arbitration agreements.
Scouting Report
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Pitch Mix: Cutter, curveball, sweeper, sinker.
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Strengths:
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Exceptional curveball with high spin and strong vertical/horizontal break.
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Ability to generate swings and misses despite low velocity, thanks to spin and pitch movement.
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High endurance and reliability: he throws a lot of innings for a reliever and can be counted on regularly.
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Weaknesses:
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Walk rate can be problematic, especially on his sweeper.
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Because his stuff is less about power, mistakes over the heart of the plate (or with command) can be costly.
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Mindset & Strategy: Maton often studies hitters and adapts his pitch mix intelligently, choosing what to throw based on who he’s facing.
Personal Life & Family
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Phil Maton grew up in Illinois (his hometown is Chatham, IL).
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He is married to Katelynn Cook, who played softball at Louisiana Tech University.
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He has two younger brothers: Nick Maton, a utility player, and Jacob Maton, a pitcher.
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Maton has spoken about playing with a chip on his shoulder, especially after feeling undervalued in free agency — he said some teams preferred harder throwers over consistent, crafty arms.
Recent Developments & Outlook
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In 2025, Maton played for the Cardinals and posted strong numbers, showing that he can still be an effective high-leverage arm.
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His intelligence on the mound and his ability to consistently execute his secondary pitches make him appealing to teams looking for a steady bullpen piece.
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Given his contract history and performance, Maton might continue to be a sought-after reliever by teams that value pitchability and advanced metrics over pure velocity.
Conclusion
Phil Maton is a non-flashy but highly valuable reliever in MLB. He leverages spin, control, and a deep arsenal to get outs. While he doesn’t rely on high-velocity heaters, his curveball and cutter give him an edge, and his resilience and consistency make him a reliable bullpen option. Off the field, he has roots in Louisiana Tech (both for himself and his wife), and his journey across multiple teams shows his adaptability and mental toughness.
