Matt Skole | |
---|---|
First baseman | |
Born: Woodstock, Georgia, U.S. | July 30, 1989|
Batted: Left Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
May 28, 2018, for the Chicago White Sox | |
Last appearance | |
September 25, 2019, for the Chicago White Sox | |
MLB statistics | |
Batting average | .217 |
Home runs | 1 |
Runs batted in | 7 |
Teams | |
Matthew Thomas Skole (born July 30,1989) is an American former professional baseball first baseman who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago White Sox in 2018 and 2019.
Skole attended Georgia Tech,and in 2009 and 2010 he played collegiate summer baseball with the Falmouth Commodores of the Cape Cod Baseball League. [1] [2] He was selected by the Washington Nationals in the fifth round of the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft.
In 2012,Skole was the South Atlantic League MVP and Nationals Minor League Player of the Year after hitting .291/.426/.559 with 27 home runs and 104 runs batted in. [3] [4]
Prior to the 2013 season,Skole was ranked as the Nationals fourth-best prospect by Baseball America . [5] However,Skole collided with a runner on a fielding play at first base in the second game of his 2013 campaign with the Class-AA Harrisburg Senators,falling to the ground and tearing his ulnar collateral ligament and flexor tendon in his left elbow. [6] He underwent Tommy John surgery on April 17,2013,taking him out of action for the season. [7] Skole returned to action and played in the Nationals' instructional league in September and then against high minor league talent for the Mesa Solar Sox in the Arizona Fall League. [8]
Skole struggled somewhat in 2014 after missing a significant amount of the previous season,batting .241/.352/.399 with Harrisburg. He slipped down the prospect rankings,with Baseball America listing him as the Nationals' 24th-best prospect after the season—20 places lower than he was before it started. [9] He was not added to the 40-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 draft that winter,but no team selected him and he remained with the Nationals organization. [10]
Despite Skole's poor 2014 campaign,he was invited to spring training with the major league ballclub in 2015. [11] After hitting well in spring training,he got off to a slow start with Harrisburg but then went on an offensive tear in June and July, [6] earning a promotion to the Class-AAA Syracuse Chiefs. [12] Skole was once again left unprotected before the Rule 5 draft after the season,but again,he was not drafted and remained part of the organization. [13]
The Nationals again invited Skole to spring training before their 2016 season. [14] He spent the entire season with Syracuse for the first time in his minor league career. The Nationals added Skole to their 40-man roster after the 2016 season, [15] in which he hit 24 home runs as a Chief and won a minor league Gold Glove Award at first base. [16]
While on the minor league disabled list,Skole was designated from assignment and removed from the Nationals' 40-man roster on July 29,2017,to clear space for newly acquired utilityman Howie Kendrick. [17] He cleared waivers and was released by the Nationals, [18] but days later,he signed a new minor league contract with the organization and was assigned to the Auburn Doubledays. [19]
He elected free agency on November 6,2017,and announced November 21 that he had signed with the Chicago White Sox. [20] Skole was called up to the majors on May 28,2018, [21] and he made his debut that day. On the first pitch of his first at-bat,Skole singled off Cleveland Indians starter Adam Plutko. Skole hit his first big league home run in his next at-bat,also against Plutko. [22] [23] Skole was outrighted off the roster on September 4,2018. He elected free agency on November 2,2018. [24] On November 19,2018,Skole re-signed a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox. [25] He was assigned to AAA Charlotte Knights to start the 2019 season. On August 2,2019,the White Sox selected Skole's contract. [26] On October 28,Skole was outrighted off of the White Sox roster and elected free agency. [27] On January 21,2020,Skole re-signed with the White Sox on a minor league deal. Skole was released by the White Sox organization on June 26,2020.
In his minor league seasons,Skole has exclusively played at first and third base in the field. Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo described him in 2012 as someone who "probably profiles as a left-handed power bat at first base". [28] He has also been noted as a patient hitter with a "strong propensity to take walks". [29]
His brother,Jake,was also a professional baseball player. [30]
Ryan Neil Raburn is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers,Cleveland Indians,Colorado Rockies and Washington Nationals. While primarily an outfielder,he played every position except for catcher and shortstop during his career.
James Gordon Beckham III is an American former professional baseball infielder who serves as a fill-in sportscaster for the Atlanta Braves and the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago White Sox,Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim,Atlanta Braves,San Francisco Giants,Seattle Mariners,and Detroit Tigers.
Grant Thomas Green is an American former professional baseball second baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Oakland Athletics,Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim,San Francisco Giants,and Washington Nationals. Green attended the University of Southern California (USC) and played college baseball for the USC Trojans.
Matthew Taylor Purke is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut and played his only MLB season with the Chicago White Sox in 2016.
Stephen Anthony Paul Lombardozzi Jr. is an American professional baseball second baseman and left fielder who is a free agent. He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Washington Nationals,Baltimore Orioles,Pittsburgh Pirates and Miami Marlins.
Michael George Olt is an American former professional baseball third baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers,Chicago Cubs,and Chicago White Sox. He played college baseball at the University of Connecticut.
Matthew Glen Davidson is an American professional baseball infielder for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He made his MLB debut with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2013 and has also played in MLB for the Chicago White Sox,Cincinnati Reds and Oakland Athletics.
Brian Christopher Goodwin is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Washington Nationals,Kansas City Royals,Los Angeles Angels,Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox. Before his professional career,Goodwin played college baseball for the North Carolina Tar Heels.
Adrián Nieto is a Cuban former professional baseball catcher. He played one season in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago White Sox.
Jorge Mario Alfaro Buelvas is a Colombian professional baseball catcher who is currently a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies,Miami Marlins,San Diego Padres,and Boston Red Sox. Alfaro signed with the Texas Rangers as a free agent in 2010,was traded to the Phillies in 2015,and made his MLB debut in 2016.
Ryan Thomas Cordell is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago White Sox and New York Mets.
Matthew William Reynolds is an American professional baseball infielder in the Cincinnati Reds organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Mets,Washington Nationals,and Kansas City Royals.
Víctor Enrique Robles Brito is a Dominican professional baseball outfielder for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball (MLB). Robles signed with the Nationals as an international free agent in 2013. He made his MLB debut in 2017.
Adam Trevor Engel is an American professional baseball outfielder in the Seattle Mariners organization. He was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 19th round of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft,and made his MLB debut with them in 2017. He has also played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres.
Jimmy Gerard Cordero is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Washington Nationals,Toronto Blue Jays,and Chicago White Sox.
Blake Rutherford is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball (MLB). The New York Yankees selected him in the first round of the 2016 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2023 with the Nationals.
Reynaldo Starling López Kely is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut with the Washington Nationals in 2016,and has also played for the Chicago White Sox.
Raudy Miguel Read Placencia is a Dominican professional baseball catcher for the Spire City Ghost Hounds of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Washington Nationals.
Jeter Deion Downs is a Colombian professional baseball shortstop for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Boston Red Sox. Listed at 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m) and 195 pounds (88 kg),he bats and throws right-handed.
Taylor Stone Gushue is an American professional baseball catcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago Cubs. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 4th round of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft.