The Toronto Blue Jays agreed to a one-year deal with free agent pitcher Matt Shoemaker on Friday, adding depth to a starting staff that owned the third-worst ERA in the majors in 2018.
Shoemaker was limited to seven games last season due to injury, recording a 4.94 ERA for the Los Angeles Angels over his 31 innings of work. Los Angeles non-tendered the 32-year-old on Nov. 30 after another disappointing, injury-shortened campaign.
Despite the recent struggles, Shoemaker does have a history of success. His signing brings the Blue Jays’ rotation into clearer focus alongside Aaron Sanchez, Marcus Stroman and Ryan Borucki. At a reasonable $3.5 million, Shoemaker is a low-risk addition who could enjoy a bounce-back season if he remains healthy.
Here are some things you should know about the Blue Jays’ new right-hander:
Age: 32
Position: Starting pitcher
Throws: Right
Height: Six-foot-two | Weight: 225 lbs.
Contract: One-year, $3.5 million
Twitter handle: @MattShoe52
An unlikely success story
Shoemaker wasn’t drafted in 2008 after his collegiate career at Eastern Michigan University. He went on to sign with the Angels as an undrafted free agent, then spent five years in their farm system.
The Wyandotte, Mich. native impressed in his MLB debut as a September call-up in 2013, tossing five innings of shutout ball. That brief taste of success would be a sign of things to come as Shoemaker started 20 games in 2014, going 16-4 with a 3.04 ERA. Those numbers helped him finish second in American League Rookie of the Year voting.
His production has never returned to that level, but Shoemaker remained a consistent contributor in the Angels’ rotation in 2015 and 2016.
For his career, Shoemaker carries a 3.93 ERA with an identical FIP. He has a 40-32 overall record in 101 appearances (93 starts) and an 8.1 K/9 rate.
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Injury history
Shoemaker was the victim of a terrifying on-field incident on Sept. 4, 2016 when he was drilled by a line-drive off the bat of Seattle Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager. Shoemaker suffered a fractured skull and a concussion on the play and was forced to undergo emergency surgery to stop bleeding on his brain.
After making a full recovery from what was a career- and life-threatening injury, Shoemaker returned for the start of the 2017 season and provided decent production through the middle of June. He was then shut down for the season after developing forearm issues and underwent surgery.
The injury persisted last spring and he made just one start before landing on the disabled list. He ended up needing a second operation on his forearm to repair a split tendon. He was able to return to the mound in early September, but the Angels did not allow him to eclipse 80 pitches in any of his final six starts.
Giveaway-inspiring beard
In addition to his world-class arm, Shoemaker boasts one of the best beards going. In 2011, his facial hair was so inspiring that the double-A Arkansas Travellers opened their playoff run by giving out removable goatees to fans in attendance. The Travellers dished out “Matt Shoemaker Goatee Face T-Shirts” the following season as well.
International experience
Shoemaker has suited up for the United States on multiple occasions, pitching at the 2011 Baseball World Cup and the 2011 Pan American Games. He helped his country win a silver medal at the Pan Ams, highlighted by a combined shutout with Drew Smyly in a game against Panama.
