CarL1 Frederick Keys

Grimes Named Carolina League Player of the Month

Published on June 8, 2016 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Frederick Keys News Release


Frederick, Md. - Following a stellar May with the Frederick Keys, starting pitcher, Matthew Grimes, was named the Carolina League "Player of the Month." The announcement was made by Minor League Baseball on late Tuesday afternoon. Also recognized as the Orioles Minor League Pitcher of the Month on Monday, Grimes becomes the first Keys player to claim a CL monthly honor since May 2015 when Trey Mancini was recognized for his outstanding play.

Grimes, 24, went 5-1 with a 1.12 ERA in six May contests. During that time, the Georgian allowed only five earned runs over 40.1 innings and allowed only 34 baserunners. A winner in each of his last four starts, Grimes surrendered only one earned run in 28.2 innings during that time, while he closed May on a 21 inning scoreless streak. In May, Grimes scattered 28 hits and walked only six, while opponents were held to a .194 average against him.

Across Minor League Baseball, Grimes' five victories were tied for the most among qualifiers, while he placed third in innings pitched. Among Carolina Leaguers, the right-hander posted the top ERA and WHIP (0.84) and turned in the second-lowest batting average against. After posting seven shutout innings against the Carolina Mudcats on Saturday, the 24-year-old has not allowed a run in his last 28 innings.

Overall this season, Grimes is 7-2 with a 1.08 ERA in 11 starts. Over 66.2 innings, he has allowed 14 runs (eight earned) to go with 12 walks and 45 strikeouts. Opponents are hitting .223 against him. Entering Wednesday's action, Grimes is fifth in the MiLB in ERA and second in the CL trailing only Lynchburg's Julian Merryweather (0.92). Grimes leads all Carolina League pitchers in WHIP (0.99), is tied for second in wins, third in innings pitched and fourth in average against. Among starting pitchers, the former Georgia Tech product is tops in fewest baserunners per nine innings (8.91) and third in lowest walk per nine inning ratio (1.62).

Selected by the Orioles in the 18th round of the 2014 draft, Grimes spent all of 2015 with the Low-A Delmarva Shorebirds. He went 10-7 with a 4.14 ERA and finished the year eighth among O's farmhands in ERA.

The Keys have an off-day on Wednesday before beginning a four-game series with the Potomac Nationals at Pfitzner Stadium on Thursday. Neither side has announced its starting pitcher. The Keys return home on Thursday, June 16 when the Lynchburg Hillcats come to town for a 7:00 first pitch. For tickets, fans can call the box office at 301-815-9939 or visit frederickkeys.com.

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Carolina League Stories from June 8, 2016


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