CarL1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans

Swarmer Named Cubs Minor League Pitcher of the Month

Published on May 4, 2018 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Myrtle Beach Pelicans News Release


MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - Myrtle Beach Pelicans right-handed pitcher Matt Swarmer has been named the Chicago Cubs' Minor League Pitcher of the Month for April, the organization announced Friday. Former Pelicans outfielder Jeffrey Baez earned the Cubs' Minor League Player of the Month award.

Swarmer went 2-2 with a 1.74 ERA over four starts in the month of April for the Pelicans, ceding just four earned runs in 20.2 innings. The Mohnton, Pa., native struck out 26 against just three walks over the month, with his 1.74 ERA ranking as the fifth-best in the Carolina League if he had enough innings to qualify. Swarmer's 1.52 FIP leads the circuit among pitchers with at least 20 innings pitched.

Chicago's 19th-round pick in 2016, Swarmer fired six shutout innings on April 22 against Down East, fanning seven while not walking a batter. The right-hander has struck out at least five opponents in each of his four starts, matching a career-high with eight over just five innings on April 16 at Buies Creek.

A product of Kutztown University in Pennsylvania, Swarmer is spending his first season in Myrtle Beach. In 2017, the righty went 7-5 with a 4.71 ERA over 24 appearances (12 starts) between Short Season Class A Eugene, Low-A South Bend, Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa.

A member of the Pelicans' 2015 and 2016 championship squads, respectively, Baez slashed .241/.324/.363 with 15 doubles, three triple, eight home runs and 45 RBIs in 113 games with Myrtle Beach in 2016 after just playing five games with the Birds in 2015. Signed by the Cubs as a non-drafted free agent in 2010 out of Venezuela, the outfielder took home a Player of the Week award in the Carolina League during the 2016 season. From August 1-7, Baez hit .478 (11-for-23) with two doubles, three home runs and 11 RBIs. This month with the Smokies, Baez batted .411 (23-for-56) with seven doubles, one triple, three homers, 15 RBIs and seven runs scored in 21 April contests.

Swarmer will make the start for Pelicans in Saturday's 6 p.m. contest at Lynchburg from Calvin Falwell Field at Lynchburg City Stadium.

The 2018 season is the 20th season for the Pelicans franchise and fourth as the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. For tickets visit MyrtleBeachPelicans.com/tickets, call (843) 918-6000, or visit the Pelicans Box Office.

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