Matt Goyen
Brewster 2004
Pitcher
Georgia College
Small-school players who find their way to the Cape are always looking to make a big impression.
Matt Goyen did it quickly in 2004, and it was bigger than big.
The lefty from D-II Georgia College and State University made his first start for Brewster on June 19, the third day of the season. He struck out six and allowed just two hits in six shutout innings.
It was just the beginning. In his next start, Goyen went seven shutout innings, striking out 11, walking one and allowing just one hit.
And then came something really special. On June 30 at Orleans, Goyen authored what I believe to be the best single start of the decade. In a 1-0 Whitecaps victory, Goyen tossed a complete-game, two-hit shutout with 18 strikeouts and no walks. Both hits came in the first inning; Goyen retired 26 straight to finish the game. He also struck out the final seven batters, and the 18 he finished with set a Brewster single-game record. He was three shy of the Cape League record.
All in all, an incredible performance. But it wasn’t the only impression Goyen made. The guy who had the best single start also had the best single season by a pitcher.
He finally allowed a run in his fourth start, but he always had a hold on the top pitcher label. He ended up with a 5-2 record, a 1.25 ERA, 80 strikeouts and 14 walks in 57.2 innings. He allowed eight earned runs the whole summer, and his K/9 was 12.6, which is pretty unheard of for a starter. The 80 strikeouts led the league by a wide margin, and that number ranks second in the decade. It also set a Brewster record that was held by Billy Wagner.
Goyen was fifth in the league in ERA and tied for third in wins. He was named the league’s Outstanding Pitcher, even with Dallas Buck striking out 65 with a 0.77 ERA.
I still think it was an easy choice.
After the Cape
Goyen’s breakout performance vaulted him into the third round of the 2005 draft, where he was taken by the Marlins. In three minor-league seasons, he never duplicated his summer success; 2007 was his last year.
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