On June 11, Phil Maton began his major league career, pitching the eighth inning of a loss to the Kansas City Royals. He recorded three quick outs and has continued to dominate, giving up only five hits and no runs in eight games and 6.2 innings, resulting in a .75 WHIP.
Called up to replace Kevin Quackenbush and his 6.38 ERA, Maton became the first of A.J. Preller’s draftees to make it to the big club. Chosen in the 20th round in 2015 out of Louisiana Tech University, he pitched as a starter rather than a reliever, appearing in 40 games and recording 90 strikeouts in 88 innings.