Matthew
Liberatore

3/21/18 - Arizona signee. Sat 91-94 with his fastball in the first, before settling in at 89-91. Mixed in 73-75 CB that flashed plus with depth and was more average when it had more lateral break. Also showed 85-87 CH with sink and threw a short slider in warm-ups. Worked FB to both sides and even appeared to cut it in on RHH. Struggled with command, issuing several walks in 3 inning outing. Varied timing in his delivery, even showing a slide step quick pitch out of the windup. Simple, athletic delivery. Wasn’t his best on this day, but it’s easy to see why he’s PBR’s top overall prospect and a strong candidate to go 1-1. 

8/24/17 - Named to Team USA 18U team.

8/6/17 - Struck out four in two innings while allowing a single and a walk. He was 87-92 and showed his usual low-70s curveball with 1/7 shape and depth. He also threw a changeup at 83 that looks like a fastball out of his hand.

7/29/17 - Earned MVP honors with five strikeouts in three innings while allowing just one hit. His fastball ranged from 89-93 with arm-side life and he pitched with an easy delivery. He showed 1/7 shape and depth to his curveball at 70-72 while mixing in a changeup at 81-84.

7/10/17 - Named to Team USA 18U trials roster.

6/27/17 - Went four innings and allowed a run on three hits while striking out six. The Arizona recruit has a long, lean frame at 6-foot-5, 185 pounds and pitches with an easy, loose delivery. He lands slightly open and tended to leave his fastball up and to his arm side, but started out at 90-92 with some arm-side action and finished at 88-90. He flashed spin to his curveball, which sat 72-75 with 12/6 shape and depth. He also has feel for his 83-85 changeup, which features fading action. Liberatore showed a knack for pounding the outside corner against right-handed hitters, getting several swings-and-misses on pitches away.