Matt Marksberry is a pitcher in the Atlanta Braves organization, and is one of the many great arms that currently resides in the Bravos farm system. He is a left-handed relief pitcher and currently is pitching with the Triple-A affiliate, Gwinnett Braves.
Who Is Matt Marksberry?
Home Life in Cincinnati
Matthew Gates Marksberry was born on Aug. 25, 1990 in Cincinnati. He attended and graduated from Glen Este High School in Cincinnati. He was named to the All-Conference Team in his sophomore, junior and senior campaigns. In 2009, Marksberry was named “Conference Player Of the Year.” He was also named Second Team All-State following the 2009 season. He posted a record of 8-1 with a sub-two ERA. He sported a .365 average at the plate, as well.
Marksberry Heads South
Marksberry took to Campbell University to pursue further education, as well as play baseball. He took a red shirt in the 2010 season but came out in 2011 and threw 54 innings for the Campbell Camels. He finished that season with a 1-6 record and a 7.17 ERA in 24 appearances. He recorded a team high 58 strikeouts, while only walking 32.
2012 was a good year for Marksberry. He posted an impressive 2.97 ERA, and a 4-2 record in 22 appearances. He allowed only 11 earned runs that year and pitched in two Campbell shut-outs. He had a stretch where he did not allow a hit in seven contests.
Going into 2013, he was quickly ascending up the all-time ranks in several categories at Campbell. He went 8-2 in 2013 with a 4.90 ERA. He made 14 appearances and had 11 starts. He pitched in 68 innings and recorded 73 K’s. He helped the Campbell Camels set a school and Big South record with a 2.63 team ERA. Marksberry ranks among Campbell’s all-time leaders with 60 appearances (tied for 10th), 48 relief appearances (11th all-time), 167 K’s (ninth all-time) and 9.61 strikeouts per nine innings pitched (third all-ime).
He would go on to post a career record of 13-10, while finishing with a 5.24 ERA, five saves, 167 strikeouts in 60 appearances with 12 starts in 156 innings.
Being Drafted by the Atlanta Braves
Marksberry was drafted in the 15th Round (463rd Overall) of the 2013 MLB Draft. He would head to the rookie affiliate Danville Braves to start his professional career. He went 1-3 with a 5.08 ERA in 12 games. He struck out 40 batters and only walked 16. 2014 saw Marksberry pitching at both Low-A Rome, as well as Advanced-A Lynchburg Hillcats. Between the two teams, he sported a 6-10 record and a 3.76 ERA in 115 innings pitched, with 100 K’s and 53 walks.
In 2015, he started at High-A again, this time however with the Carolina Mudcats (the Braves new High-A Affiliate as of 2015). He pitched well enough to earn a promotion to the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves. He skipped Double-A Mississippi. He pitched in 10.1 innings while posting a 2.61 ERA, and had eight strikeouts with only one walk.
On July 31, 2015, Matt Marksberry was called up to the Major League Level. He had finally achieved his dream. He would post an 0-3 record with a 5.01 ERA, but struck out 21 batters in 23.1 innings pitched.
Starting 2016, Marksberry was invited to Spring Training, but did not make the big league club. He began the season for the Double-A Mississippi Braves, where he pitched in six games before being called up to the big leagues once again. After pitching 1.2 innings, he was sent back down to Triple-A. Since being back at Gwinnett, he is pitching very well as he is sporting a 2-2 record with 29 strikeouts and 14 walks in 30 innings pitched.
The Road Back To The Show
Being a relief pitcher in the Atlanta Braves organization can be a sometimes stressful job. You have to be ready to get the call to the bigs at anytime, especially if you already have had major league experience. With the Braves making changes to the 25 man roster so often, it isn’t uncommon for guys to be sent back and forth several times (just ask RHP John Gant).
It’s only a matter of time before Matt Marksberry is back in the A-T-L. Especially if he continues his good work with Gwinnett. He’s a solid left-handed arm in a very solid farm system, so only time will tell.
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