DrB's 2016 Giants Top 50 Prospects: #25 Matt Gage

Matt Gage, LHP.  DOB:  2/11/1993.  6'4", 240 lbs.

Low A:  4-4, 4.07, 77.1 IP, 8.26 K/9, 1.51 BB/9, GO/AO= 1.04, FIP= 2.70.
AA:  2-3, 4.66, 38.2 IP, 6.98 K/9, 2.33 BB/9, GO/AO= 2.04, FIP= 3.17.

Sometimes the key to success for a baseball prospect is being in the right place at the right time and grabbing your opportunity by the throat when you have a chance.  Matt Gage was brought up from Augusta to Richmond for what was supposed to be an emergency spot start.  He allowed 1 run on 7 hits in 5 IP with 5 K's and just 1 BB.  He pitched so well, the Giants kept him in Richmond for the remainder of the season.  He allowed just 5 ER in 23 IP over his first 4 AA starts.  He faded a bit at the end, but finished with a strong final start that fell 1 out short of  a QS.

I don't have much of a scouting report on Gage except that he's a very big lefty, but his numbers point to success:  Strong K rate, very low walk rate and a strong GB tendency.  Those kinds of numbers will play at any level.  It will be interesting to see where the Giants place him in 2016, but he earned at least a AA placement with his opportunistic performance in 2015.  Ceiling is probably back-of-rotation SP.  ETA probably 2018.