Jacob
Maton

6/6/18 - Drafted in the 39th round by the Seattle Mariners out of Chatham-Glenwood HS.

4.11.18 - Coastal Carolina commit, currently the No. 1 ranked pitcher in the Illinois’ 2018 class. 6-foot-3, 185-pound, athletically-built, right-handed pitcher with well-proportioned strength. Overall, electric outing for Glenwood. Went six innings, gave up one hit, one unearned run, struck out 14 and walked two. Was in total control throughout; quiet, confident, competitive demeanor on the mound. After he gave up his one hit and unearned run on the night, he did not throw a fastball under 90 mph. Highly-athletic, repeatable delivery, works on-line and with rhythm. Clean, ultra-quick arm action, comes out of a short window and ball jumps out of the hand. Fastball sat mostly 90-91 mph throughout, touching a handful of 92’s and 93 twice (once in his sixth and final inning). Fastball works straight, has finish and liveliness through the hitting zone. Fastball command was better than last look early in the spring; quality misses and worked it to both sides of the plate at times. Breaking ball is true swing-and-miss, out-pitch. Goes to it frequently, throws it with intent/conviction and can throw it in any count. Blends between a slider and curveball at times, can manipulate it, throws it to both sides of the plate and to left-handed or right-handed hitters, sat 76-79 mph. Did not see a changeup in game. Continues to cement himself as the top arm in Illinois and should be a draft follow throughout the spring.

3.14.18 - Coastal Carolina commit. Currently ranked No. 3 in the Illinois’ 2018 class. 6-foot-3, 185-pound, wiry-strong, athletically built, right-handed pitcher. Started for Chatham-Glenwood in the highly-anticipated matchup against fellow RHP Shane Wilhelm (Missouri commit) and Columbia HS.  Continued to prove he is one of the top arms in the Midwest and should draw pro attention this spring. Went five innings, of perfect baseball while striking out 10. Possesses one of the best breaking balls in the state. Went to it frequently and in any count. Can throw it for strikes, to both sides of the plate and sharpens it up with two strikes. Calls it a slider but ability to manipulate it. Acted like a curveball at times; sharp, late action, tight spin 11/5 to 10/4 shape with depth, ranged from 74-78 mph. Per FlightScope data showed even better spin rate on the slider (2500-to-2600 rpm) this evening than he did at the Super 60. Fastball works straight, slight cut at times, sat 89-90 mph early in the outing, settling in at 87-88 mph. Went to his changeup only a couple of times, straight action, 78 mph.

2.4.18 (Super 60) - Coastal Carolina recruit. 6-foot-3, 185-pound right-handed pitcher with athletic, wiry-strong build and plenty of room for continued physical development. Delivered an overall polished bullpen at the Super 60, showing true starter-type stuff at the next level. Advanced three-pitch mix, controlled the zone with all three, highlighted by a true swing-and-miss slider. Minimal side-step delivery, low effort, rhythm and pace throughout, everything works easily and athletically. Repeats well. Arm is short and compact in the back, ultra-quick out front. Ball comes out of a small window, sneaky-quick out of the hand. Fastball sat 89-91 mph, mostly straight with occasional cut, low effort, consistent strikes; more velocity in the tank. Slider is a difference-maker, arguably the best breaking ball at the Super 60. Throws it aggressively, 78-80 mph, with tight, sharp late-breaking 11/5 action. Dotted the lower-quadrant of the strike zone with it; throws it with extreme confidence. Maton was also remarkably consistent with the spin of his slider, with an average spin rate of 2,429.6, per FlightScope data, with a differentiating velocity lost crossing the plate of 9.03 mph. ... Also filled up the zone with a 79-81 mph changeup, mostly straight with occasional cut, works comfortably to his gloveside. Throws all three pitches with same arm action, out of the same small window. ... Although currently polished, Maton looks like he is just beginning to scratch the surface of his potential. Comes from a baseball family. Both his older brothers were draft picks, and Jacob may be the best of the bunch.

3.17.17 - Coastal Carolina commit. Currently ranked No. 2 in the PBR Illinois class of 2018 and No. 47 in the PBR Overall ranks. 6-foot-3, 170-pound right-handed pitcher with a thin, lanky frame. Shows great poise on the mound. Works from an over the top arm angle with a short, quick arm action. Tall and fall delivery with good balance throughout. Showed plus pitchability with feel for three pitches. Fastball worked 89-91 mph in the first inning, mostly straight action on it. Slider showed swing and miss ability at 77-79 mph with sharp action and tight rotation. Showed an advanced changeup with late fading action at 79-81 mph thrown aggressively with fastball arm speed. Good command of all pitches, worked five innings allowing five hits and striking out five without allowing a run. Strong bloodlines, will receive a lot of draft interest this upcoming summer. 

9.5.16 - Verbally committed to Coastal Carolina.

Future Games 2016 - Although highly ranked in Illinois, the 6-foot-3, 170-pound Maton wasn’t a well-known national prospect. He changed all that with two highly impressive outings, each one-inning stints. In fact, Maton was arguably the top pitcher at the entire Future Games, which is a big statement given the depth and talent at the event. Against Indiana, Maton sat 88-89 with his fastball, touching 90 once, but it was his slider that turned heads. What he previously classified as a cutter, Maton unveiled a slider that had sharp, late bite, thrown aggressively and around the zone at 78-80. He recorded a pair of strikeouts with his slider, which was unquestionably one of the best breaking balls at the event. His second outing was just as effective and impressive, sitting 88-89 with his fastball, and flashing that same sharp slider. Maton has a short, quick arm action and has yet to begin to fill into his frame. His delivery is simple, athletic and repeatable. Both his older brothers were draft picks.


1.17.16 - Looks to be one of the top prospects in Illinois’ 2018 class, and has the potential to be an elite national prospect. Highly athletic, angular 6-foot-3, 170-pound frame; wider shoulders, long limbs with plenty of room for continued physical development. Earned top pitching prospect honors at the Illinois Underclass Invitational in January. Displayed advanced three-pitch mix, headlined by an easy 87-89 mph fastball with late arm-side life. Works from high-3/4 slot, short, quick arm action; simple, clean mechanics with athletic in-line delivery. Maintains balance and rhythm throughout delivery. Pounded the lower-quadrant of the strike zone with his fastball; clearly more in the tank as he physically develops. Also showed advanced cutter in the 79-82 range with sharp late action; cutter showed potential of being a high-level pitch. Changeup is also a quality offering. Throws 78-82 mph changeup with aggressiveness, occasional sink down in the zone. Overall impressive bullpen performance, though it seems Maton has only begun to scratch the surface of his potential. … While no doubt Maton’s future will be on the mound, he also showcased well at the plate. Has a balanced, simple plate approach, highly athletic hands and generates easy bat speed. Maintains excellent balance throughout contact with an aggressive lower half. Ball jumped off his bat with backspin carry. … Comes from a strong baseball family: both his older brothers – RHP Phil Maton and SS/RHP Nick Maton – were drafted in 2015. Phil was drafted out of Louisiana Tech (20^th round); Nick drafted out of high school (40^th round).