Matt Avery

Matthew Charles Avery

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 6", Weight 230 lb.
• School University of Virginia
• High School Landon School
• Born September 7, 1983 in Fairfax, VA USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Reliever Matt Avery pitched in the Chicago Cubs system from 2005 to 2008 and in the Washington Nationals system in 2009. He was taken by the Cubs in the 9th round of the 2005 amateur draft, a few picks ahead of pitcher Robert Mosebach, and was signed by scout Billy Swoope.

In his second campaign, 2006, Avery went 4-3 with a 2.15 ERA and 18 saves in 48 games for the Peoria Chiefs; in 67 innings, he had 76 strikeouts and allowed just 46 hits. He was a Mid-Season All-Star that year. The next year, his ERA rose to 3.41, though he managed 7 saves and 30 games finished in 50 appearances between the Tennessee Smokies and Daytona Cubs. He played for the Mesa Solar Sox of the Arizona Fall League that year, posting a 5.23 ERA in 8 appearances. On November 3, 2008, he was traded to the Washington Nationals for pitcher Ryan Buchter. He spent a year in their system, posting a 4.53 ERA in 28 games for the Harrisburg Senators in 2009.

Overall, Avery went 14-13 with a 3.71 ERA in 175 games (14 starts) over five minor league seasons. In 310 2/3 innings, he allowed 294 hits and struck out 248 batters. He peaked at Double A.