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 the Minor League Sports Report name Winnipeg Goldeyes right-hander Joey Matulovich as the Pitcher of the Week for Week 11 of the 2024 American Association season.

Goldeyes RHP Joey Matulovich Named Pitcher of the Week

On Monday, This Week in the Association and the Minor League Sports Report named Winnipeg Goldeyes right-hander Joey Matulovich as the Pitcher of the Week for Week 11 of the 2024 season. Matulovich had an impressive week, tossing 14 scoreless innings in his two starts, both victories.

The right-hander made his first start of the week on July 16, tossing seven shutout innings in a 7-0 victory over the Sioux City Explorers. Matulovich retired the first five batters of the contest before issuing a two-out walk in the second. He then gave up a one-out double in the third, the only hit that the Winnipeg right-hander allowed in the contest. Matulovich retired the next eight batters before hitting the first batter of the sixth inning. His only other blemish was a two-out walk in the seventh. The righty went seven innings, allowing a hit and two walks while striking out five.

Matulovich was equally as dominant in his next start, tossing seven shutout innings in an 8-0 victory over the Milwaukee Milkmen on July 21. The right-hander retired the first 13 batters of the game, seeing the streak come to an end what he gave up back to back singles with one out in the top of the fourth. However, Matulovich remained calm, retiring the next two batters to start a string of eight straight retired before his night was over. The Winnipeg ace yielded two hits and zero walks while striking out nine.

For the week, Matulovich allowed three hits and two walks in 14.0 innings while striking out 14. He posted a 0.00 ERA and had a .067 opponent batting average. He also posted a 0.36 WHIP.

Joey Matulovich was selected in the 20^th round of the 2018 draft by the Milwaukee Brewers. He spent five years in the Brewers organization, reaching High-A Wisconsin in each of his last three years with the club. Matulovich posted a 12-10 record with a 4.66 ERA in 17 starts and 78 relief appearances.

In 2023, Matulovich joined the Winnipeg Goldeyes where he went 5-9 with a 3.78 ERA in 20 starts. The right-hander allowed 101 hits and 32 walks in 116.2 innings, striking out 121. This season Matulovich has been absolutely dominant, going 8-2 with a 2.12 ERA in 13 starts. He has allowed just 56 hits and 14 walks in 85.0 innings, striking out 94.

This is the second time this season that Matulovich has received Pitcher of the Week honors. He was selected in Week 5 as well.

2024 American Association Pitchers of the Week

Week 1 – Ryan Zimmerman, Sioux Falls Canaries
Week 2 – Ty Culbreth, Sioux Falls Canaries
Week 3 – Davis Feldman, Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
Week 4 – Andres Diaz, Gary SouthShore RailCats
Week 5 – Joey Matulovich, Winnipeg Goldeyes
Week 6 – Grant Gavin, Kansas City Monarchs
Week 7 – Joey Marciano, Chicago Dogs
Week 8 – Seth Miller, Sioux Falls Canaries
Week 9 – Brooks Gosswein, Chicago Dogs
Week 10 – Tanner Brown, Sioux Falls Canaries

By Robert Pannier