Matt Portland Signs with White Sox
Published on June 27, 2018 under Frontier League (FL)
Normal CornBelters News Release
NORMAL, Ill. - Prior to Wednesday's game against the River City Rascals, the Normal CornBelters have announced that the Chicago White Sox have purchased the contract of Matt Portland.
"Brooks Carey, Billy Horn, and all the staff have made me a better player, pitcher and I fell very fortunate to have gotten the opportunity to play here," said Portland, after he found out that his contract was purchased by the Chicago White Sox.
Portland becomes the second CornBelter to be picked up a major league club this season; the first was Scott Sebald who was signed by the Miami Marlins on June 11th. He will make the trip up to Great Falls, Mont. on Thursday where he will join their short-season club, the Great Falls Voyagers.
First-year Manager Billy Horn admits that this one hits home for him. "It's always special anytime when one of your boys gets picked up, but this one is a little bit more special. I coached Matt in the college summer league back in 2013 and I have known him since then."
Horn added, "He called me last year when he got released from the Kansas City Royals and then sent him to a club out in the American Association and a couple of weeks later they let him go. He and Brooks Carrey called me on the same day, and Brooks said hey I am looking for a left-handed starter and I said I got you a guy. He came here (Normal) last year and did a great job. A lot of organizations were on him and I am glad finally someone pulled the trigger. I wish him nothing but the best of luck. The Chicago White Sox made a great pick, they've got a great pitcher and a fantastic human being. He is a great guy on and off the field, we are super ecstatic for him and we are really pulling for him at another shot to the big leagues."
After fixing his command this season, the southpaw has been dominant in the rotation. Through seven starts Portland owns a 3-2 record with wins over Joliet, River City, and most recently Gateway on Sunday. In his 38 innings of work, he has 44 strikeouts (team-leading) compared to only 15 walks while also limiting the opposition to a .218 AVG.
He started his career with Normal on July 6th, 2017 and made his debut on the same day against Washington. Portland pitched in 12 games with seven starts and struck out 48 in 40.1 innings with a 3.12 ERA.
Prior to his short stint in the American Association (Independent) during 2017, the native of Victor N.Y. was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 17th round of the 2015 MLB Draft. Portland spent two years with their Rookie Ball affiliate and pitched in a total of 28 games with 13 starts. Had a 4-3 record with 85 strikeouts in 89 innings and a WHIP of 1.52.
Before entering minor league baseball, Portland spent three seasons at Northwestern (Big 10). He had a breakout season during his junior year, pitching a career-high 14 starts totaling for a team-high 89 innings. He also held team-highs in strikeouts (68) and quality starts (10).
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