Matt Strahm

Matthew Scott Strahm (born November 12, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut for the Kansas City Royals in 2016.\n', ' Strahm attended West Fargo High School in West Fargo, North Dakota. He played for the school\'s baseball team as a pitcher, considering himself to be the third-best pitcher on his team. Attending a tryout at the University of Kansas, he caught the attention of a coach from the college baseball team of Neosho County Community College. In 2012, he pitched to a 9–3 win-loss record and a 1.48 earned run average (ERA), helping the Neosho County Panthers reach the 2012 National Junior College Athletic Association World Series. After two seasons with Neosho, he committed to transfer to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.\n', ' The Kansas City Royals selected Strahm in the 21st round, with the 643rd overall selection, of the 2012 MLB draft. He signed with the Royals, receiving a $100,000 signing bonus, rather than transfer to Nebraska. He made his professional debut with the Idaho Falls Chukars of the Rookie-level Pioneer League. Strahm required Tommy John surgery during the 2013 season to repair damage to the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow. He missed most of the 2014 season, throwing only ​19 1⁄3 innings for Idaho Falls. In 2015, he pitched for the Lexington Legends of the Class A South Atlantic League (SAL) and Wilmington Blue Rocks of the Class A-Advanced Carolina League. He was named a SAL All-Star. Between the two teams, he recorded 121 strikeouts in 94 innings pitched. The Royals added him to their 40-man roster after the 2015 season to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He began the 2016 season with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals of the Class AA Texas League. He had a 3.43 ERA and 107 strikeouts in ​102 1⁄3 innings pitched through the end of July.\n', '