Who Is Matt Beaty?
Matt Beaty, whose full name is Matthew Thomas Beaty, was born on April 28, 1993, in Snellville, Georgia. He attended Belmont University and was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 12th round of the 2015 MLB Draft.
Beaty had actually been drafted earlier by the Kansas City Royals in the 48th round in 2011, but he did not sign at that time. He eventually developed into a professional hitter at Belmont and entered the Dodgers’ organization.
Baseball-Reference lists Beaty at 6-foot-0 and 215 pounds. During his professional career, he primarily played first base and the outfield while also making appearances at third base.
When Did Matt Beaty Make His MLB Debut?
Beaty made his MLB debut with the Dodgers on April 30, 2019, against the San Francisco Giants.
He quickly established himself as a useful part of Los Angeles’ roster. In his rookie season, he appeared in 99 games and recorded 66 hits, nine home runs and 46 RBIs while batting .265.
His .775 OPS in 2019 was a solid start to his major-league career. He also appeared in four postseason games that year.
Matt Beaty and the Dodgers
The Dodgers were the most important stop of Beaty’s MLB career.
From 2019 through 2021, he appeared in 240 games for Los Angeles. Across those three seasons, he hit .262 with a .333 on-base percentage, a .425 slugging percentage, 18 home runs and 91 RBIs.
His best overall MLB season came in 2021. Beaty played 120 games and posted a .270/.363/.402 batting line with seven home runs and 40 RBIs. His ability to play first base, left field and right field gave the Dodgers additional roster flexibility.
Beaty was also part of the Dodgers’ championship run in 2020. Los Angeles defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series, giving Beaty a championship ring.
Matt Beaty Trade to the Padres
One of the biggest moves of Beaty’s career happened in March 2022.
The Dodgers designated Beaty for assignment on March 23, 2022. A few days later, the San Diego Padres acquired him from Los Angeles in exchange for minor-league pitcher River Ryan.
MLB reported that the Padres viewed Beaty as a useful left-handed bat who could provide depth at first base and in the outfield. His 2021 season, when he posted a .270/.363/.402 line, helped make him an attractive bench option.
The move was significant because it sent Beaty from one National League contender to another.
What Happened to Matt Beaty in San Diego?
Beaty’s time with the Padres did not go as planned.
He played only 20 MLB games for San Diego in 2022 and struggled badly at the plate. He finished his Padres stint with just four hits in 43 at-bats, resulting in a .093 batting average.
Beaty also dealt with a left shoulder impingement, which led to a lengthy stint on the injured list. After returning, he was optioned to Triple-A El Paso.
The Padres designated him for assignment in September 2022 and subsequently outrighted him to the minors. He elected free agency later that month.
Matt Beaty Trade to the Giants
Beaty signed a minor-league contract with the Kansas City Royals in January 2023 and received an invitation to spring training.
He later moved again.
On March 30, 2023, the Royals traded Beaty to the San Francisco Giants for cash considerations. The Giants selected him for their Opening Day roster, where he was expected to provide a left-handed bat off the bench.
However, his opportunity in San Francisco was brief.
Beaty played only four games for the Giants and went 1-for-5. The Giants eventually designated him for assignment on May 30, 2023.
Why Did the Royals Bring Him Back?
After being designated for assignment by San Francisco, Beaty returned to Kansas City on a minor-league contract.
The Royals selected his contract in June 2023, giving him another opportunity to establish himself in the majors. He appeared in 26 games for Kansas City that season.
However, Beaty’s production was limited. He hit .232 with three RBIs in his Royals appearances and was eventually optioned to Triple-A Omaha in September.
On September 19, 2023, Kansas City designated Beaty for assignment. He was outrighted to Omaha two days later and elected free agency on October 2.
Is Matt Beaty Retired?
Matt Beaty is no longer an active MLB player.
Baseball-Reference lists his final MLB game as September 6, 2023, when he played for the Kansas City Royals. He finished his major-league career at age 30.
Baseball Almanac lists Beaty among the players who retired in 2023, with September 6, 2023 recorded as his retirement date.
However, there is an important distinction: Beaty did continue playing professional baseball after his final MLB appearance. In 2024, he played in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ minor-league system, appearing for the Reno Aces and Amarillo Sod Poodles.
Therefore, it is more accurate to say that Beaty’s MLB career ended in 2023, while he continued his professional baseball career in the minors afterward. MLB.com records him playing for Arizona’s minor-league affiliates in 2024.
Matt Beaty MLB Career Stats
Beaty finished his MLB career with the following regular-season numbers:
| Stat | Career Total |
|---|---|
| Games | 290 |
| At-bats | 607 |
| Hits | 150 |
| Home runs | 18 |
| RBIs | 96 |
| Runs | 93 |
| Stolen bases | 7 |
| Batting average | .247 |
| On-base percentage | .323 |
| Slugging percentage | .394 |
| OPS | .717 |
| OPS+ | 91 |
| WAR | -1.3 |
These figures come from Baseball-Reference’s career totals.
His best MLB numbers came with the Dodgers, where he hit .262 over three seasons. His production declined after leaving Los Angeles, particularly during his brief stint with San Diego.
Matt Beaty Career by Team
Beaty played for four MLB organizations:
Los Angeles Dodgers
2019–2021
The Dodgers gave Beaty his MLB debut and the majority of his major-league opportunities. He played 240 games for Los Angeles and won a World Series during his tenure.
San Diego Padres
2022
The Padres acquired Beaty from the Dodgers, but injuries and limited production prevented him from becoming a regular contributor.
San Francisco Giants
2023
San Francisco acquired Beaty from Kansas City for cash considerations shortly before Opening Day. He appeared in only four MLB games for the Giants.
Kansas City Royals
2023
The Royals signed Beaty to a minor-league contract before the season. After his release by San Francisco, Kansas City brought him back to the majors, where he made his final MLB appearances.
What Was Matt Beaty’s Best MLB Season?
Beaty’s strongest full MLB season was arguably 2021 with the Dodgers.
He played 120 games and hit:
- .270 batting average
- .363 OBP
- .402 slugging percentage
- .765 OPS
- 7 home runs
- 40 RBIs
- 35 runs
That season showed why the Dodgers valued him as a versatile left-handed hitter. MLB noted that he could contribute at first base and multiple outfield positions.
Matt Beaty’s Minor-League Career
Beaty’s professional career extended well beyond his MLB statistics.
Before reaching the majors, he established himself as a productive minor-league hitter. In 2017, he was named Texas League Player of the Year after batting .326 and leading the league in several offensive categories, including doubles and OPS.
After his MLB career wound down, Beaty continued playing in the minors. In 2024, he appeared for Arizona’s Double-A and Triple-A affiliates.
Across 53 minor-league games that year, he hit .276 with five home runs, 23 RBIs and a .757 OPS.
Why Did Matt Beaty’s MLB Career End?
There was no single dramatic event that ended Beaty’s MLB career.
Instead, his path out of the majors was shaped by several factors:
- Inconsistent MLB production: His overall career batting line was .247/.323/.394.
- Roster competition: Beaty’s versatility was valuable, but teams increasingly had other options for bench and corner-position roles.
- Injuries: His 2022 shoulder issue affected his time with San Diego.
- Frequent roster moves: From 2022 onward, Beaty moved between organizations and the major and minor leagues.
- Limited opportunities: After leaving the Dodgers, he never again received an extended MLB role.
His final MLB season therefore represented the end of a five-season major-league career rather than a sudden retirement caused by one specific incident.
Matt Beaty’s Legacy
Matt Beaty may not have produced All-Star-level numbers, but his MLB career was notable for several reasons.
He overcame a relatively late-round draft history, developed into a major-league player and became part of a World Series-winning Dodgers club. His ability to play multiple positions also allowed him to remain useful as a bench player.
His career is a good example of how difficult it is to establish a permanent role in MLB. Beaty reached the highest level, produced some strong seasons and earned a championship, but later struggled to maintain a consistent major-league roster spot.
Final Thoughts
Matt Beaty’s MLB career lasted from 2019 through 2023, with the majority of his success coming as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers. He later played for the Padres, Giants and Royals before making his final MLB appearance on September 6, 2023.
His career totals of 150 hits, 18 home runs, 96 RBIs and a .247 batting average tell the story of a versatile role player who made a meaningful contribution during his time in Los Angeles.
While Beaty continued playing in the minor leagues in 2024, there has been no MLB return since 2023. His biggest professional achievement remains winning the 2020 World Series with the Dodgers, making his five-season MLB career a memorable one despite its relatively short length.
FAQs About Matt Beaty
When did Matt Beaty retire from MLB?
Beaty’s final MLB game was September 6, 2023. Baseball Almanac lists him among players who retired in 2023.
What happened to Matt Beaty?
After struggling to maintain a major-league roster spot, Beaty moved between the Padres, Giants and Royals. He finished his MLB career in 2023 and later played in the Diamondbacks’ minor-league system in 2024.
What teams did Matt Beaty play for?
Beaty played MLB games for the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants and Kansas City Royals.
What was Matt Beaty’s career batting average?
Beaty finished his MLB career with a .247 batting average, along with a .323 OBP and .394 slugging percentage.
How many home runs did Matt Beaty hit?
He hit 18 home runs during his MLB career.
Did Matt Beaty win a World Series?
Yes. Beaty was part of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 2020 World Series championship team.
Who did the Dodgers trade Matt Beaty to?
The Dodgers traded Beaty to the San Diego Padres in March 2022 for minor-league pitcher River Ryan.
Did Matt Beaty play after 2023?
Yes. Although his MLB career ended in 2023, Beaty continued playing in the minors in 2024 for the Arizona Diamondbacks organization, including time with Reno and Amarillo.
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