Kansas City Monarchs LHP Matt Hall Named August Pitcher of the Month by TWITA, GoMLSR
American Association Daily provides insights, features, and recaps of the action from around the American Association of Professional Baseball League, as well as player and coaching profiles and transactions. In today’s edition, This Week in the Association and Minor League Sports Report name Kansas City Monarchs left-hander Matt Hall Pitcher of the Month for August.
Kansas City Monarchs Left-Hander Michael Named August’s Top Pitcher
On Thursday, This Week in the Association and the Minor League Sports Report named Kansas City monarchs left-hander Matt Hall as the American Association Pitcher of the Month for August. Hall was an impressive 5-0 with a 0.87 ERA in five starts during August.
This was one of the most impressive pitching performances in any month in league history. Hall allowed just three runs the entire month, and that came in one start. His other four starts saw him throw a combined 26.0 scoreless frames.
The left-hander made his first start on August 9, tossing seven shutout innings against Sioux City Explorers. Hall allowed three hits and two walks, while striking out eight. The left-hander allowed his first hit in the bottom of the third then did not give up another hit until the seventh when he gave up two singles. However, Hall got out of the jam, striking out two in the frame and finished with five strikeouts over the final three innings.
On August 14, Hall tossed seven shutout innings once again, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out 10. The 10 strikeouts tied a season-high at the time and the two hits allowed were his fewest of the season. The left-hander gave up a leadoff walk, then retired the next 11 batters before issuing his second walk of the game. Hall had a no-hitter through five, seeing that snapped in the top of the sixth when Randy Norris led off with a single. He gave up one more hit in the seventh but that would be all that Lincoln could muster.
On August 20, Hall gave up four hits and two walks in 6.0 innings in a 3-2 victory over the Saltdogs. The left-hander extended his scoreless streak to 20 straight innings, giving up singles in the first, third, fourth, and fifth innings. He struck a season-high 12 in the contest, fanning at least one batter in every inning, including striking out the side in the second and sixth innings.
On August 25, Hall allowed three runs in five innings in a 7-4 victory over Winnipeg. The left-hander gave up a run in the first and two in the third, but settled down to toss a scoreless fourth and fifth inning. He gave up five hits and two walks while striking out eight.
In his final start of the month, Hall tossed six scoreless innings, allowing six hits and two walks while striking out 10. Four of the first six outs were recorded on strikeouts and he struck out the side in the sixth.
For the month, Matt Hall led the American Association in victories with five and his 0.87 ERA was also the best. His 48 strikeouts were tied for the most and his 31.0 innings pitched with second most. Hall posted an impressive .182 opponent batting average and a 0.97 WHIP. He leads the American Association with a 1.10 ERA and has struck out 113 batters in 82.0 innings pitched. His 10 wins are tied for the league lead.
Hall spent parts of three seasons at the Major League level, appearing in 25 games. He was chosen in the sixth round of the 2015 drafted by the Detroit Tigers. Hall spent parts of seven seasons in the minors, posting a 3.31 ERA in 86 appearances. He struck out 591 in 540.1 innings pitched.
2022 American Association Pitchers of the Month
May – Myles Smith, Milwaukee Milkmen
June – Luis Ramirez, Winnipeg Goldeyes
July – Greg Minier, Lincoln Saltdogs
By Robert Pannier