H/W: 6-5 210 lb. B/T: R/R DOB: 12/9/87
Latos dropped to the 11th round of the 2006 draft due to some concerns about his make-up and bonus demands. The Padres took a flier on him as a draft and follow and have been giddy about results ever since. Last year, Mat pitched at three different levels compiling a 3-3 record with a 2.57 ERA and 13 BB/69 K's in just 56 innings. At the forefront of Latos' repertoire is an intimidating 95-97 MPH fastball that he throws downhill at hitters and a big breaking curveball thrown from a 3/4 arm slot. He has altered the grip on his changeup to be more of a straight change and the results have been quite promising. Mat had some injury woes this year, missing time early in the season with shoulder soreness and later on with a strained oblique. Some feel that this may be due to the fact that his high effort delivery, while deceptive to hitters, has mechanical flaws that leave him prone to injury. Since signing with the Padres, Latos has shown that he is a tough competitor who has proven to be much more coachable than originally expected. Surely there will be some tinkering done with his delivery this coming season.
2009 Projection: Health is the biggest thing keeping Mat from having a major breakout season. The Padres will likely start him back at Low-A Fort Wayne and, if all looks well, he should move to High-A Lake Elsinore at some point. Latos has the stuff to be a frontline starter who can punch out 200+ hitters per season, but the big question mark with him will be his health. The Padres will work dilligently to make the necessary alterations to his pitching mechanics, but there are no guarantees of the overall effect that will have on his effectiveness. If things don't pan out as a starting pitcher, Latos could become a dominant closer instead. Either way, he is the brightest pitching prospect in a rebuilding Padres system.
Key Mat Latos Baseball Cards:
- 2007 Donruss Elite Extra Auto #/499
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Prospects Auto
 2012 Topps SP Variation Matt Latos (#256) $1.99 (1 Bid) |
 2011 Topps Series 1 #120 Mat Latos Padres $1.00 |
 MAT LATOS 2010 10 Topps SAN DIEGO PADRES # 191 $1.33 |
 Mat Latos BLUE 2011 TOPPS DIAMOND /60 $2.99 |
 2011 Allen Ginter Mini AG Back 162 Mat Latos $1.49 |
 Mat Latos 2010 TOPPS SERIES 1 SP Photo Variation CELEBRATION WITH MAYBIN #256 $4.81 (4 Bids) |
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