Jeff Mathis, Catcher


Date of Birth: 3/31/1983
Birthplace: Marianna, Florida

Jeff Mathis, catcher, was first drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in 2001. He played in the Angels' minor league system from 2001 through most of 2007, playing in 5 games with the Angels in 2005, 23 games in 2006, and 59 games in 2007.

Mathis played in 94 games with the Angels in 2008. He finished the season with 55 hits, 42 RBIs, and a .194 batting average. As a catcher, he made 57 assists, 624 putouts, and 13 errors with a .981 fielding percentage.

From 2009 through 2011, Mathis continued as a backup catcher for the Angels, playing in 84 games in 2009, 68 games in 2010, and 93 games in 2011. In December, 2011, the Angels traded him to the Toronto Blue Jays.

Mathis batted .218 in 71 games with the Blue Jays in 2012. That August, he signed a two-year, $3 million contract extension. However, he didn't play past that season with the Blue Jays. In November, 2012, they traded him to the Miami Marlins. In 2013, he played in 73 games with the Marlins, finishing with a .181 batting average. He finished the 2014 season with 35 hits and a .200 batting average in 64 games.

Mathis played in just 32 games with the Marlins in 2015. He had 15 hits and a .161 batting average. He signed a new one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Marlins on December 18, 2015.

Mathis played in just 41 games with the Marlins in 2016. He batted .267 with 30 hits.

Mathis signed a two-year, $4 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks on December 4, 2016. He played in 60 games in 2017 and he batted .215 with 40 hits. Defensively, as a catcher in 58 games, he made 44 assists, 489 putouts, and 3 errors. He caught players trying to steal 42.4% of the time. In the postseason, he had 2 hits, including a home run, in 9 at-bats in 3 games.

In 2018, Mathis batted .200 in 69 games with the Diamondbacks. Defensively, as a catcher in 63 games, he made 57 assists, 516 putouts, and 1 error. He caught players trying to steal 36.0% of the time and he had a .998 fielding percentage.

Mathis became a free agent on October 29, 2018. He signed with the Texas Rangers a month later, on November 20th. He finished the 2019 season with 36 hits and a .158 batting average in 86 games. As the Rangers' catcher in 86 games, he made 30 assists, 686 putouts, and 6 errors, and he caught players trying to steal 16.7% of the time.

Mathis played in just 24 games in the shortened 2020 season. He finished the season with 10 hits and a .161 batting average.

Mathis elected free agency on October 28, 2020. He signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies on February 16, 2021. He was released on March 25th. Four days later, on March 29th, he signed with the Atlanta Braves. He played in just three games with the Braves in 2021. He didn't play in the postseason.

Mathis became a free agent again on November 7, 2021.

Career batting statistics for Mathis through 2021 include:

  • 948 games played
  • 526 hits
  • 112 doubles
  • 286 RBIs
  • 872 strikeouts to 205 walks
  • .194 batting average

Career fielding statistics for Mathis as a catcher through 2021 include:

  • 914 games played
  • 551 assists
  • 6,294 putouts
  • 57 errors
  • 28% caught stealing percentage
  • .992 fielding percentage

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Jeff Mathis
ESPN - Jeff Mathis