Q & A with San Francisco Giants 2018 Draft Pick, Matt Frisbee

For most San Francisco Giants fans, their 2018 MLB Draft knowledge likely starts and stops with Joey Bart. Frankly, that’s fine. But another draft pick from this year performed extremely well and has many people intrigued in what he can do. We caught up with 15th round draft pick, Matt Frisbee.

The harsh reality is that only a handful of the players the San Francisco Giants drafted this summer will ever see the big leagues. Despite that, every single one is hopeful upon making an impact at the big league level. Matt Frisbee is certainly in that category.

Frisbee was selected with the 15th overall pick in the 2018 MLB Amateur Draft. The North Carolina native grew up just 81 miles west of Madison Bumgarner. His impressive junior season at University of North Carolina Greensboro certainly helped catch eyes of the Giants scout out there. Frisbee started to appear on the radar when he played in the Cape Cod League last summer.

His ensuing junior season, he posted a 2.96 ERA, striking out 116 and walking 23 in just over 90 innings. His solid fastball, and devastating slider are what really is the standout of his pitching arsenal, though he has been feeling out a changeup. He was named to the All-Conference Squad as well as named Pitcher of the Year for the Southern Conference.

We caught up with him before he heads to San Francisco for the Giants’ rookie mini-camp they hold at AT&T park every year. Click to the next slide to begin our Q and A, as Matt Frisbee discusses college life, getting drafted, watching MadBum, and throwing to Joey Bart.

We caught up with Matt Frisbee, and discussed over the phone the many topics below. Enjoy!

Q: What was getting drafted like? Did you have any inclination that the Giants might be the ones to pick you?

A: Actually, I had no idea it was gonna be the Giants. That’s one team that I didn’t really talk to that much going through the whole process. I knew Donnie Suttles (Giants area scout in North Carolina), he lives in McDowell county which is probably 30 minutes away from me. I knew him growing up in high school and through college, but I never really sat down and talked to him about it. Through the draft process I never thought the Giants would be the ones that drafted me. So, that was unexpected. But, I’m glad they did.

Q: What was the first thought you had when you found out it was the Giants?

A: I didn’t see anything about it on social media. I wasn’t paying much attention to it on a Thursday, but I got a call from Donnie Suttles. I had his number saved and I thought, “This is it.”

Q: How did you see your evolution as a pitcher during your time in college, especially being a three year starter?

A: At first I didn’t think I was going to be a weekend starter my freshman year. There were a couple upperclassman they were looking at to be the ‘Sunday guy’. When I went through the fall everything really worked out for me and I was lucky enough to be in the weekend rotation with three upperclassmen. That being said, it took me a little bit to get adjusted to the game, especially the way Coach Edwards called the game. I had to trust my pitches, and have the confidence to go up there every weekend.

I think that’s the one thing I gained the most through college was the confidence part, and the mental side of pitching. Obviously you’re going to get stronger, your fastball velocity is going to increase. But can you go up there and be mentally prepared every weekend? That really took me until my junior year to really find that and work on that.

Q: What kind of pitcher would you consider yourself to be? What is your M.O. on the mound?

A: When I first started in Salem [Kiezer; Giants short season, level A affiliate], they put me in the pen. The mindset of a starter is so much more different than that of a closer or reliever. When I was a starter, I’d try to pitch off my fastball as long as I can. I’d try to pitch to contact and then get into my pitches as I go along. Then when I went into the bullpen, I tried doing that at first, but it didn’t really work out as well as I wanted it to. But that’s part of it. I had to adjust. I started really just going out and trying to get strikeouts. My favorite pitch this summer was a fastball up. They were swinging at it, fouling it off. Then I trusted my slider enough to where I threw that when I got ahead and that’s what worked out for me. Pitching out of the zone really worked well for me this summer.

Q: Who was a pitcher you liked to watch growing up and who would you try to model your game after?

A: Honestly one of my favorite pitchers growing up was watching Madison Bumgarner pitch. Not just because I play for the Giants now. Just watching his mindset on the mound, he is so intense and ready just to get after it, and full of intent. That’s just one thing I love about watching him throw. Now one of my favorite pitchers to watch is Trevor Bauer. Watching that guy, I mean he just lets it go. I love that.”

Q: What was it like playing with Joey Bart this offseason?

A: That summer going into my junior year, we played on the Harwich Mariners [Cape Cod League] together. And so it was good to have some kind of a relationship going then. It wasn’t like I was just throwing to a new guy. It’s completely different throwing to him than any other catcher. The dude is a brick wall back there. You can throw anything you want and you don’t have to worry about it. He’s going to get it, he’s going to fight for you. And the way he calls the game is just unreal. I know he did it in college. Just throwing to him is completely different. It’s kind of hard to explain because his ability to do everything behind the plate is just crazy.”

Q: So I’d take it he’s as advertised?

A: Oh for sure. He deserves everything coming his way. He’s a great guy both on and off the field. I’m lucky to be his teammate his first season in pro ball.