Isaac Gerald Mattson (born July 14, 1995) is an American professional

baseball Baseball is a bat-and-ball games, bat-and-ball sport played between two team sport, teams of nine players each, taking turns batting (baseball), batting and Fielding (baseball), fielding. The game occurs over the course of several Pitch ...

pitcher In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("Pitch (baseball), pitches") the Baseball (ball), baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of out (baseball), retiring a batter (baseball), batter, ...

for the

Pittsburgh Pirates The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central ...

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...

(MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the

Baltimore Orioles The Baltimore Orioles (also known as the O's) are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East Division. As one of the America ...

Amateur career

Mattson attended Harbor Creek High School in Harborcreek, Pennsylvania, where he played both baseball and basketball. In 2014, his senior year, he went 6–0 with a 0.67 ERA along with batting .531. He was not drafted out of high school in the

2014 Major League Baseball draft The 2014 Major League Baseball draft was held from June 5 through June 7, 2014, to assign amateur baseball players to MLB teams. The first two rounds were conducted on June 5, followed by rounds three through ten on June 6, and the last 30 round ...

and enrolled at the

University of Pittsburgh The University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) is a Commonwealth System of Higher Education, state-related research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. The university is composed of seventeen undergraduate and graduate schools and colle ...

where he played

college baseball College baseball is baseball that is played by Student athlete, student-athletes at institutions of higher education. In the United States, college baseball is sanctioned mainly by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA); in Japan, ...

. In 2015, as a freshman at Pitt, Mattson appeared in 22 games, going 1–1 with a 3.82 ERA, and in 2016, his sophomore season, he pitched 34 innings in relief, compiling a 2–0 record with a 3.71 ERA. After his sophomore year, he played for the

Chatham Anglers The Chatham Anglers, more commonly referred to as the Chatham A's and formerly the Chatham Athletics, are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Chatham, Massachusetts. The team is a member of the Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL) and plays in ...

of the

Cape Cod Baseball League The Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL or Cape League) is a collegiate summer baseball wooden bat league located on Cape Cod in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. One of the nation's premier collegiate summer leagues, the league boasts over 1,000 forme ...

and was named an all-star. In 2017, as a junior, he pitched 31 innings out of the bullpen, going 1–0 with a 2.87 ERA, striking out 41.

Professional career

Los Angeles Angels

After the season, Mattson was drafted by the

Los Angeles Angels The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in the Greater Los Angeles, Greater Los Angeles area. The Angels compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, ...

in the 19th round of the

2017 Major League Baseball draft The 2017 Major League Baseball draft began on June 12, 2017. The draft assigned amateur baseball players to MLB teams. The first 36 picks, including the first round and compensatory picks, were broadcast on MLB Network on June 12, while the remai ...

. After signing, Mattson made his professional debut with the

Arizona League Angels The Arizona Complex League Angels are a professional baseball team competing as a Rookie-level affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels in the Arizona Complex League of Minor League Baseball. The team plays its home games at Tempe Diablo Stadium in Te ...

before being promoted to the

Orem Owlz The Orem Owlz were a Minor League Baseball team located in Orem, Utah, United States, from 2001 to 2020. The team competed in the Pioneer League as a Rookie League affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. The Owlz played their home games at Home o ...

, where he was named an All-Star. In innings between the two clubs, he went 1–0 with a 1.44 ERA. In 2018, he played for the

Burlington Bees The Burlington Bees are a collegiate summer baseball team of the Prospect League. They are located in Burlington, Iowa, and have played their home games at Community Field since 1947. Founded in 1889, the Bees played in Minor League Baseball' ...

and the

Inland Empire 66ers The Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino are a Minor League Baseball team of the California League and the Single-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. The 66ers are based in San Bernardino, California, and play at San Manuel Stadium. Franchi ...

, going 7–4 with a 3.82 ERA in 25 games (11 starts), and in 2019, he began the year with the 66ers before being promoted to the

Mobile BayBears The Mobile BayBears were a Minor League Baseball team based in Mobile, Alabama, United States. The team, which played in the Southern League, served as the Double-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres (1997–2006), Arizona Diamondbacks (2007–2 ...

in May. In August, he was promoted to the

Salt Lake Bees The Salt Lake Bees are a Minor League Baseball (MiLB) team that plays in the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. Based in South Jordan, Utah, the team plays its home games at The Ballpark at Am ...

. Over 37 relief appearances between the three clubs, Mattson pitched to a 6–3 record with a 2.33 ERA, striking out 110 over innings. He was selected to play in the

Arizona Fall League The Arizona Fall League (AFL) is an off-season baseball league owned and operated by Major League Baseball (MLB) which operates during autumn in Arizona, United States, at six different baseball complexes. Arizona Fall League rosters are filled ...

for the

Mesa Solar Sox The Mesa Solar Sox are a baseball team that plays in the East Division of the Arizona Fall League. They play their home games in Mesa, Arizona, at Sloan Park, which is also the spring training facility of the Chicago Cubs. The team was establi ...

following the season.

Baltimore Orioles

On December 4, 2019, Mattson (alongside

Zach Peek Below is a partial list of minor league baseball players in the Milwaukee Brewers system. Players Luke Adams Jon Luke Adams (born April 24, 2004) is an American professional baseball third baseman in the Milwaukee Brewers organization. Adams a ...

, Kyle Bradish, and Kyle Brnovich) was traded to the

in exchange for Dylan Bundy. He did not play a minor league game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...

. On November 20, 2020, Mattson was added to the 40-man roster. On May 3, 2021, Mattson was promoted to the major leagues for the first time. Mattson made his major league debut on May 7, pitching 2/3 of an inning and allowing one run on a

Marwin González Marwin Javier González (born March 14, 1989) is a Venezuelan former professional baseball utility player. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros, Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, and New York Yankees, and in Nippon Prof ...

RBI double. He was optioned to the Triple-A

Norfolk Tides The Norfolk Tides are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. They are located in Norfolk, Virginia, and are named in nautical reference to the city's loc ...

the following day. On June 30, Mattson was recalled by the Orioles. He recorded his first career strikeout on July 3, striking out

infielder David Fletcher. Over 4 appearances for the Orioles in 2021, Matson posted a 6.23 ERA with 3 strikeouts. On April 8, 2022, Mattson was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. On July 18, the Orioles released Mattson from the organization.

Washington Wild Things

On August 6, 2022, Mattson signed with the Washington Wild Things of the

Frontier League The Frontier League (FL; French: ''Ligue Frontière'', LF) is a professional baseball league in North America composed of 18 teams – 15 in the United States and 3 in Canada. The FL is one of the eight independent baseball leagues in North Ame ...

. He made 12 appearances for Washington, recording a 2.40 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 15 innings pitched. On December 5, Mattson was released by the Wild Things after having his contract option declined.

Southern Maryland Blue Crabs

On March 31, 2023, Mattson signed with the

Southern Maryland Blue Crabs The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs are an American professional baseball team based in Waldorf, Maryland. They are members of the South Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, an independent "partner league" of Major League Base ...

of the

Atlantic League of Professional Baseball The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) is a professional independent baseball league in the United States. It is an official MLB Partner League based in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States, and the headquarters are l ...

. In 18 appearances for the Blue Crabs, Mattson logged a 3.32 ERA with 24 strikeouts and 3 saves in 19 innings pitched.

Minnesota Twins

On June 22, 2023, Mattson signed a minor league contract with the

Minnesota Twins The Minnesota Twins are an American professional baseball team based in Minneapolis. The Twins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The team is named afte ...

organization. In 21 appearances for the Double–A

Wichita Wind Surge The Wichita Wind Surge are a Minor League Baseball team of the Texas League and the Double-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. They are located in Wichita, Kansas, and began play in 2021 at Equity Bank Park. The Wind Surge were supposed to be ...

, he registered a 3.62 ERA with 42 strikeouts across innings of work. Mattson elected free agency following the season on November 6.

Pittsburgh Pirates

On December 11, 2023, Mattson signed a minor league contract with the

. He began 2024 with the Double–A

Altoona Curve The Altoona Curve are a Minor League Baseball team based in Altoona, Pennsylvania, named after nearby Horseshoe Curve (but also alluding to the curveball, a type of pitch). The team plays in the Eastern League and is the Double-A affiliate of ...

, and was later promoted to the Triple–A

Indianapolis Indians The Indianapolis Indians are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. They are located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and play their home games at Victory ...

, compiling a 7–2 record and 3.17 ERA with 89 strikeouts over 37 total games. On September 19, 2024, the Pirates selected Mattson's contract, adding him to their active roster. In 3 games for Pittsburgh, he posted a 5.06 ERA with 6 strikeouts over innings pitched. On November 4, Mattson was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Triple–A Indianapolis. He elected free agency the same day. On November 18, 2024, Mattson re–signed with the Pirates on a minor league contract. He began the 2025 campaign with Indianapolis, posting a 2.50 ERA with 22 strikeouts and four saves in his first 16 outings. On May 20, 2025, the Pirates selected Mattson's contract, adding him to their active roster.

Personal life

Mattson was born to parents Edward and Debra, and was raised with seven siblings. His mother, Debra, died by suicide in July 2021. He married his wife, Devin, in November 2022. Their first child was born in February 2025.

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mattson, Isaac 1995 births Living people Altoona Curve players Arizona League Angels players Baltimore Orioles players Baseball players from Erie, Pennsylvania Burlington Bees players Chatham Anglers players Indianapolis Indians players Inland Empire 66ers players Major League Baseball pitchers Mesa Solar Sox players Mobile BayBears players Norfolk Tides players Orem Owlz players Pittsburgh Panthers baseball players Pittsburgh Pirates players Salt Lake Bees players Southern Maryland Blue Crabs players Washington Wild Things players Wichita Wind Surge players