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Maton emerging as breakout candidate

PEORIA, Ariz. -- It was the easiest job Austin Hedges ever had.

Phil Maton, promoted for Triple-A El Paso's title push, was handed the closer role in September. And Hedges knew exactly what to ask for: fastballs. High-spin, four-seam fastballs -- in every count.

"I probably called two offspeed pitches," Hedges said of Maton's month-long stint at Triple-A.

"It definitely wasn't more than five," Maton concurred. "Two sounds about right."

The plan worked to perfection. Maton's dominance -- and there's no better word to describe his two professional seasons -- continued in Triple-A.