Former Brewer High and UMaine pitcher off to strong start in minors

Former Brewer High School baseball star and University of Maine closer Matt Pushard is having an exceptional season for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos in the AA Southern League.

The Blue Wahoos are affiliated with the Miami Marlins.

The 26-year-old Pushard has made 10 appearances, all in relief, and is 1-1 with a sparkling 1.38 earned-run average.

He has allowed just four hits over 13 innings and has struck out 16 while walking six.

He has three holds. A hold is when a pitcher enters the game in a save situation and records at least one out while maintaining the lead for the next relief pitcher.

He hasn’t given up a run in his last eight outings and has given up just two hits during that span.

Opponents are hitting only 0.95 against him. His walks plus hits per innings pitched (WHIP) is 0.77 which is best on the team.

“The addition of a slider has been big for me. I had never thrown it before,” said Pushard, who also throws a 95-97 mph fastball, a curve and a changeup.

His slider is 87-91 mph and it resembles a fastball coming out of his hand. But it has some late horizontal break toward the pitcher’s glove side and it can also have a little downward movement.

He began toying with it at the end of last season.

“I worked on it during the offseason and I got a feel for it during spring training,” said Pushard. “I got a lot of weak contact off it.”

He said he has confidence in all four of his pitches and won’t hesitate to throw any of them in any count.

“That makes me more unpredictable,” said Pushard. “Even if I’m down in the count, I can use a pitch the hitter won’t be looking for.”

Pushard said he has been following the Marlins’ pitching blueprint which focuses on the importance of throwing first-pitch strikes and attacking the hitters.

He noted that hitters’ batting averages drop significantly when they are behind in the count.

He said the Marlins also stress the importance of “understanding how your body works” and having their players stay in shape year-round.

He said the coaching has been exceptional and he is well-prepared for every game which includes knowing hitters’ tendencies and what pitches they like to hit.

Pushard got to pitch in a preseason game for the Marlins and threw a scoreless inning against the New York Mets, giving up just a double.

He explained that the Major League team brings minor league back-ups to their spring training games in case one of the players on the Major League roster is unable to play.

“To have them trust you to be there is a humbling experience,” said Pushard who added that getting the opportunity to be around the Major Leaguers and chat with them is “pretty cool.”

The 6-foot-4, 240-pound righthander was undrafted but signed a multi-year free agent contract with the Marlins on July 20, 2022. He had led America East in saves that spring with nine.

He pitched for three teams in the Marlins organization a year ago, including the Blue Wahoos, and was 2-2 with a 2.91 ERA over 52 ⅔ innings. He allowed just 34 hits with 52 strikeouts and 18 walks. He had nine saves in 10 opportunities and opponents hit .180 against him.

Staying healthy and being consistent are two keys to moving up the ladder and he said his success has given him confidence.

“It’s great to be able to go out there every day with confidence knowing you belong here,” said Pushard.