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For former San Ramon Valley High baseball star Joey Matulovich, when one door closes, another one opens.
After being released from the Milwaukee Brewers organization in 2023, Matulovich found a spot with the Winnipeg Goldeyes in the American Association, an independent minor league.
After a decent first season for the Goldeyes, Matulovich returned for the 2024 season — and what a season it has been as Matulovich was named the top pitcher for the league and is currently leading the team into the finals of the Miles Wolff Cup, the best of five series to determine the league champion.
Matulovich was 11-3 this year with a league-leading 2.12 ERA, striking out 145 batters in 123.1 innings pitched.
What’s been the key to this season?
“Just getting the innings,” said the 27-year-old Matulovich. “There is no substitution for experience — getting in there and facing hitters.”
After his 2015 senior season at San Ramon Valley where Matulovich was 9-1 and struck out 110 hitters, he moved on to UC Berkeley.
At Cal, Matulovich had 57 career appearances with 19 starts, accumulating a 6-5 record as both a starter and a relief pitcher, with a 3.79 ERA.
He was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 20th round of the 2018 MLB Draft. He spent five years with three different teams before being released in 2023.
One door closed, another one opened.
It was a learning experience, and he took the lessons with him to Canada and Winnipeg.
“I throw four to five different pitches now,” Matulovich said. “I learned to be diligent between starts, fine-tuning my game. I just wanted to give myself a chance.”
He’s done just that. There was also a dose of maturity that came with his time in Winnipeg.
“I have learned to be comfortable when I’m uncomfortable,” Matulovich explained. “Playing in different parks with good crowds. People cheering against you — it all helps.”
In game one of the championship series, Matulovich went six innings, allowing only two hits and no earned runs. He struck out five and walked two, keeping the Goldeyes in the game as they trailed 1-0 when he left the game.
Winnipeg would go on to lose 2-1 to fall behind 1-0 in the series.
What will next season hold?
“I’ve gotten a lot of attention from teams in Mexico, and from some teams in Asia,” said Matulovich, who is getting married in November. “I am more of a let the chips fall where they may kind of guy.”
Editor’s note: Dennis Miller is a contributing sports writer for the Pleasanton Weekly. This column originally appeared in Tri-Valley Preps Playbook, a weekly sports e-newsletter published by Embarcadero Media Foundation.
