page_title: Matt Capps
section_title: Pittsburgh Pirates
hierarchical_section_title: Matt Capps / Professional career / Pittsburgh Pirates
caption_attribution_description: Matt Capps Photographed by B. Cheuvront, Spring Training 2006 in Bradenton Florida. 03:41, 26 April 2006 . . ImmortalGoddezz . . 355×474 (36 KB)
context_page_description: Matthew Dicus Capps is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher. He is a 2002 graduate of Alexander High School in Douglasville, Georgia, where he lettered in football, basketball, cross-country and baseball before receiving a scholarship to Louisiana State University. He has played in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Washington Nationals and Minnesota Twins.
context_section_description: Capps was drafted by the Pirates in the 7th round of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft. He was a starting pitcher until 2004, never advancing above A-level in the minor leagues.
  In 2005, he was converted to a relief pitcher and began to show signs of success. Though he started the season at A-level Hickory, he was promoted mid-season to the AA Altoona Curve and later to the AAA Indianapolis Indians for the International League playoffs. After Indianapolis's season ended, he was promoted to the Pirates on September 16 and made his debut that night.
  The beginning of the 2006 season saw Capps break spring training with the Pirates. At first, Capps saw time only in safe situations, but, as the season wore on, he established himself as one of the most consistent and effective relievers in the Pittsburgh bullpen. Although only a rookie, Capps appeared many times as the Pirates' set-up man to closers Mike González and Salomón Torres.
  In 85 games during the 2006 season, Capps pitched a total of 80.2 innings, striking out 56 batters, while only allowing 81 hits and 37 runs, for an ERA of 3.79. Capps posted a team best 9–1 record out of the bullpen, while mixing in 13 holds and 1 save. He led all Major League rookie pitchers in appearances.
  Capps began the 2007 season as the sole eighth inning set-up man to Torres, and through the beginning of June was among Major League Baseball's leaders in holds. On June 1, manager Jim Tracy announced that Capps would replace Torres as the Pirates closer. One day later, Capps recorded his first save of the season—the second of his career. This was the first glimpse of his new role as the Pirates' closer.
  Capps started the 2008 season by earning 15 consecutive saves, before blowing his first save of the season on June 10. On July 2, Capps was placed on the disabled list after suffering from arm soreness. He missed nearly two months of action while he rehabbed at the Pirates' spring training facility in Bradenton, Florida. He ended the season with 21 saves and five blown saves.
  In 2009, Capps converted 27 of 32 save opportunities, with a 5.80 ERA. He allowed 73 hits and 35 earned runs in 54.1 innings pitched. Capps was not tendered a contract by the Pirates on December 12 and became a free agent.
caption: Capps with the Pirates in 2006
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