Matt Pushard

Graduated from Brewer High School in Somerville, Ala. Joins Gary Knotts and Dakota Bennett as professional players from that high school. All three played in the Marlins organization. A three-sport athlete playing baseball, basketball and soccer... Played college baseball at the University of Maine-Orono. Played during six seasons from (2017-22) culminating as a graduate student. His head coach was former Cardinals Minor League catcher Nick Derba (2007-12)...Joins former Cardinals outfielder and current television talent Mark Sweeney as collegiate players to play at Maine...Pitched in collegiate summer leagues in 2017 (Saugerties, Perfect Game), 2019 (Sanford, New England) and 2021 (Harwich, Cape Cod)...Resides in Bangor, Maine.

2025

Appeared in a career-high 49 games for Jacksonville (AAA). Ranked second on the Jumbo Shrimp in games while leading all relief pitchers in innings pitched (62.1) and strikeouts (73)...Converted 4-for-4 save opportunities, his second-most saves behind nine during the 2023 season...Finished the season with six scoreless appearances and was unscored upon during the month of September (9.1 IP) with 11 strikeouts and seven hits...Allowed a season-high two home runs at Charlotte (7/3) and allowed only one home run in a game the rest of the season (8/24 at Wooster)...Held right-handed batters to a .169 BA (21-for-124) with three home runs. Opponent left-hand batters hit at a .267 (28-for-105) clip, but had just five extra base hits, all doubles (five)...Issued only one walk over his last 11 appearances covering 63 total batters faced to Memphis (9/13) batter Brody Moore on an overturned ABS challenge...Was a non-roster invite to Marlins Major League Spring Training making four appearances with his first coming against the St. Louis Cardinals (2/22/25) with a scoreless frame for the save.

2024

Posted a 2.77 ERA (14 ER/55.1 IP) in 41 appearances during his second full professional season. Including a 3-4 record, 2.36 ERA (14 ER/53.1 IP), 18 walks and 66 strikeouts in 40 apps. with Double-A Pensacola...Led Blue Wahoos relievers in strikeouts, and ranked fourth on the club behind Luis Palacios, Evan Fitterer, Adam Laskey, and Jonathan Bermúdez. Ranked third on the team in ERA (min. 40.0 IP) behind only Austin Roberts (1.93 ERA) and Dale Stanavich (2.25 ERA)...Held left-handed hitters to a .126 AVG (11-for-87) wtih a .400 OPS, while right-handed hitters were held to a .237 clip (28-for-118) with a .741 OPS...Struck out at least one batter in 33 of his 41 appearances.; recorded multiple strikeouts in 21 of those outings...Worked at least 1.1 innings in 20 of his outings, and 2.0+ innings in 11 of his outings...Matched his season high in strikeouts with five in 2.0 innings in his Double-A finale on Sept. 14 vs. Montgomery... Did not allow a run in five apps. during the month of September (8.0 IP, 12 strikeouts) to earn himself a promotion to Triple-A Jacksonville. Tossed 2.0 scoreless innings in his lone appearance there on Sept. 21 vs. Gwinnett.

2023

Assigned to Single-A Jupiter to begin the season. Appeared in one game with the Hammerheads, collecting a save. Promoted to High-A Beloit on April 11...Posted a 1.21 ERA (3 ER/22.1 IP) in 17 games with the Sky Carp, collecting six saves in as many opportunities...His 1.21 ERA was the lowest on Beloit's staff among all pitchers with at least three appearances...Promoted to Double-A Pensacola on July 2. Appeared in 21 games for the Blue Wahoos, posting a 4.30 ERA (14 ER/29.1 IP) with 13 walks against 21 strikeouts. Held opponents to a .204 AVG...Earned winning decision on June 21 vs. Tennessee to clinch Southern League First Half title.

2022

Began professional career with Florida Complex League Marlins, appearing in five games and going 1-1 with a 14.73 ERA (6 ER/3.2 IP).