Matt Chico

Matt Chico
Matt Chico
	Chico with the Washington Nationals in 2009 during spring training
	Pitcher
	Born: June 10, 1983 (age 41); Fullerton, California, U.S.
	Batted: Left Threw: Left
MLB debut
	April 4, 2007, for the Washington Nationals
Last MLB appearance
	May 8, 2010, for the Washington Nationals
MLB statistics
Win–loss record	7–15
Earned run average	4.95
Strikeouts	128
	Stats at Baseball Reference
Teams
	Washington Nationals (2007–2008, 2010);

Matthew Bryan Chico (born June 10, 1983) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. Chico is of Mexican-American descent.

During the offseason, Chico resides with his four kids in Arizona.

High school career

Chico is a graduate of Fallbrook Union High School.

College career

Chico attended the University of Southern California in 2001-2002 and then transferred to Palomar College for the 2002–2003 academic year.

Professional career

Arizona Diamondbacks

Chico was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the third round of the 2003 amateur draft.

Chico began the 2006 season pitching for Lancaster of the high Class A California League, where he accrued a 3–4 record and a 3.75 ERA in 10 starts. He was promoted to the Tennessee of the Class AA Southern League, accumulating a win–loss record of 7–2 and an ERA of 2.22 in 13 starts.

Washington Nationals

On August 7, 2006, the Washington Nationals acquired Chico and fellow minor league pitcher Garrett Mock from Arizona in a trade for veteran right-handed pitcher Liván Hernández. After joining the Nationals organization, Chico pitched for the Harrisburg Senators of the Class AA Eastern League, winning 2 and losing none of his first 4 starts and compiling a 3.27 ERA.

At the end of 2006, Chico had earned a spot on the Nationals' 40-man protected roster. Coming out of 2007 spring training, Chico had made the club's starting rotation, and he made his major league debut on April 4, 2007, at RFK Stadium versus the Florida Marlins.

His first major league win came on April 16, in a Nats 5–1 victory over the Atlanta Braves. Chico got off to a rocky start, on a cold and bitterly windy night, walking the bases loaded in the first inning, but escaping unscathed. He went on to pitch five innings, before walking two in the sixth and getting relieved, allowing just one run.^[1]

During his next start, at Florida on April 21, 2007, in the bottom of the first inning, Chico attempted to throw a changeup to Josh Willingham. He missed the plate badly; the ball sailed over the first-base dugout.^[2]

Chico ended up becoming a mainstay for the Nationals in the first half of the season. By Mid-May, four of the Nats' five starting pitchers were out with injuries, but by July 4, Chico had not missed a turn, and was second in the league with 18 starts. From June 23 to July 4, he pitched 20 innings allowing only one run. He ended the 2007 season with a 7–9 record and an ERA of 4.63 over 167 innings.

Chico emerged as the Nationals' #2 starter at the beginning of the season. However, he struggled to an 0–6 record in eight starts and three relief appearances, and was optioned to the Class AAA Columbus Clippers on May 23. After he pitched only one game for Columbus, an MRI examination in early June revealed loose bodies in his throwing elbow.^[3]

On July 3, 2008, Chico underwent elbow reconstruction surgery.^[4] He missed the rest of the 2008 season and most of the 2009 season.

He returned to the major leagues on May 8, 2010, when he tossed five-plus innings and allowed two earned runs to the Florida Marlins at Nationals Park while giving up six hits, striking out three and walking none but did not get a decision. A day after pitching, Chico was designated for assignment on May 9 but remained on the 40-man roster and was sent down to the Double-A Harrisburg Senators. He was designated for assignment again on December 21, he cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs the next day. He was released on July 21, 2011.

Los Angeles Dodgers

On December 13, 2011, Chico signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was released on March 30, 2012.

New Jersey Jackals

On April 18, 2012, the New Jersey Jackals of the Can-Am League announced that they had signed Chico. After going 0–4 with a 9.39 ERA he was released.^[5]

York Revolution

On June 18, 2012, the York Revolution of the Atlantic League announced they had signed Chico. After making 6 starts Chico was released going 1–3 with a 7.50 ERA.^[6]

References

^ Marc Carig (April 17, 2007). "Chico's the Man for Nats: Starter Labors Early, But Battles Back for 1st Major League Win: Nationals 5, Braves 1". Washington Post. p. E01.
^ Barry Svrluga (April 22, 2007). "Nats' Chico Has Wild Night in Miami; Marlins 9, Nationals 3". Washington Post. p. E01.
^ Bill Ladson (June 8, 2008). "MRI on Chico's elbow reveals problem; Young sits for third straight game with flu-like symptoms". MLB.com. Archived from the original on June 9, 2008.
^ Mark Zuckerman (July 2, 2008). "Another crushing loss". The Washington Times. Archived from the original on October 12, 2012.
^ "Home Page | New Jersey Jackals".
^ "Matt Chico | Revolution Rumblings". Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved May 15, 2013.

External links

Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
Sportsnet player stats

[1] Marc Carig (April 17, 2007). "Chico's the Man for Nats: Starter Labors Early, But Battles Back for 1st Major League Win: Nationals 5, Braves 1". Washington Post. p. E01.

[2] Barry Svrluga (April 22, 2007). "Nats' Chico Has Wild Night in Miami; Marlins 9, Nationals 3". Washington Post. p. E01.

[3] Bill Ladson (June 8, 2008). "MRI on Chico's elbow reveals problem; Young sits for third straight game with flu-like symptoms". MLB.com. Archived from the original on June 9, 2008.

[4] Mark Zuckerman (July 2, 2008). "Another crushing loss". The Washington Times. Archived from the original on October 12, 2012.

[5] "Home Page | New Jersey Jackals".

[6] "Matt Chico | Revolution Rumblings". Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved May 15, 2013.

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